DAY 1 - September 14, 2009

TITLE: “A MAN OF GREAT INFLUENCE”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:6-19

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:6-9

KEY VERSE: “The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel.” Judges 2:7

What do you remember about Joshua the son of Nun? These verses tell us he was the son of Nun and a servant of the Lord. They also tell us he died at the age of 110 and was buried in the land of his inheritance in the hill country of Ephraim. In addition to what these verses tell us, scripture tells us he was the successor of Moses. He was a slave, soldier, servant, spy, saviour, statesman, and saint.

This passage of scripture essentially focuses on the time after Joshua died. It tells us that during his lifetime the people served the Lord. Without question, Joshua was a man of great influence. Are you a person of great influence because of your faith?

In his book, Spiritual Leadership, author, J.O. Sanders tells the story of Dr. John Geddie. This man went to Aneityum in 1848 and worked there for God for 24 years. On the tablet erected to his memory these words are inscribed, “When he landed, in 1848, there were no Christians. When he left, in 1872, there were no heathens.”

The influence of his life was clearly spelled out in his epitaph. As we read the story of Joshua, we are confronted by the importance of his influence. Are you a person of great influence because of your faith?

Jesus calls His followers to be people of influence. He wrote, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt losses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

God calls us to be people of salt and light. The followers of Jesus are commissioned to influence others with the gospel of Christ. Who are you influencing for Christ during these days? Who will you influence for Christ today?

DAY 2 - September 15, 2009

TITLE: “A WHOLE GENERATION”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:6-19

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:10

KEY VERSE: “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10

This is one of the most tragic verses in Judges. It reports that a whole generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel. The new generation accelerated quickly down the highway to destruction. This verse is a vivid reminder that the church is only one generation away from extinction. The church of today cannot exist on the spirituality of the church of yesterday. Each new generation has to prove God in its own time and in its own unique environment.

The first thing this scripture tells us about them is that they did not know the Lord. This generation was lacking a vital firsthand awareness of God and His redemption. It reminds us that every person and every generation must personally experience the reality of God and have a personal relationship with Him. Every individual must learn to cultivate their relationship with the Lord through personally worshipping, consecrating, and obeying the Lord with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind.

The second thing this passage tells us about this generation is that they did not know what He had done for Israel. This brings to mind the story of Joshua crossing the Jordan. After the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord told Joshua to choose twelve men, one from each tribe among the people and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan and carry them down to the place where they stayed. They were to serve as a sign among them. Joshua said, “…In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:6-7. The stones served as a reminder that the people crossed over by obedience. They reminded the future generation that God made it possible and the hand of the Lord is powerful. They served as a reminder to the future generations of what God had done for His people.

Now is the time to be sharing with others who God is and what He has done. We must pass on the truths of a personal relationship with God, who He is, and what he has done for us to the next generations. Will you pass on the truths of God to the next generation? Spend some time and ask God how He wants to use you to impact the next generation for Him.

DAY 3 – September 16, 2009

TITLE: “IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:6-19

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:11-15

KEY VERSE: “Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals” Judges 2:11

Evil is always done in the sight of the Lord, for nothing is out of His sight. Sin can never be hidden from the One to whom we must give account. Sinful secret thoughts may be kept from a husband or wife, but they are always seen by God. Sinful actions may not be seen by others, but they are always seen by God. Sin never goes unnoticed.

The story is told of a farmer in a Midwestern state who had a strong disdain for "religious" things. As he plowed his field on Sunday morning, he would shake his fist at the church people who passed by on their way to worship. October came and the farmer had his finest crop ever, the best in the entire county. When the harvest was complete, he placed an advertisement in the local paper which belittled the Christians for their faith in God. Near the end of his diatribe he wrote, "Faith in God must not mean much if someone like me can prosper." The response from the Christians in the community was quiet and polite. In the next edition of the town paper, a small ad appeared. It read simply, "God doesn't always settle His accounts in October." 

The significance of evil is expressed in God’s response the Psalmist said, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.” Psalm 34:14-16. It is obvious that God takes sin serious. Because of their sin they were under the judgment of God. He handed them over to their enemies and was against them and not for them. God is a holy God who cannot ignore sin.

Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman told of a distinguished minister, Dr. Howard, from Australia who preached very strongly on the subject of sin. After the service, one of the church officers came to counsel with him in the study. "Dr. Howard," he said, "we don't want you to talk as openly as you do about man's guilt and corruption, because if our boys and girls hear you discussing that subject they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin.” The minister took down a small bottle and showing it to the visitor said, "You see that label? It says strychnine -- and underneath in bold, red letters the word 'Poison!' Do you know, man, what you are asking me to do? You are suggesting that I change the label. Suppose I do, and paste over it the words, 'Essence of Peppermint'; don't you see what might happen? Someone would use it; not knowing the danger involved, and would certainly die. So it is, too, with the matter of sin. The milder you make your label; the more dangerous you make your poison!" Sin is serious in the sight of the Lord, so we must get serious about sin.

DAY 4 – September 17, 2009

TITLE: “THE SOURCE OF SALVATION”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:6-19

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:16

KEY VERSE: “Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.” Judges 2:16

Can you think of a time recently when someone intervened for you on your behalf? God intervened on behalf of the people with mercy and grace. He did this by raising up judges to save the people out of the hands of the raiders. The word ‘judge’ immediately brings up images of courts of law and arbitration between individuals in dispute for many of us. This was part of what the judges did, but it was not their major role or contribution in the book of Judges. The Hebrew term for ‘judge’ can also mean leader or deliverer. The judges were charismatic figures divinely raised up to meet a specific threat or need. Salvation for His people came through the judges God provided. God intervened by sending these judges at just the right time to save His people.

Deeply embedded in the record of The Old Testament is the story of God freeing His people from the bondage of Egypt. Israel saw itself as a people who were saved from bondage to foreigners and given religious freedom to worship their God. They attributed their deliverance to their God who was powerful and worked miracles on their behalf. The book of Judges is the story of God intervening on the behalf of His people by sending “saviors” in the form of judges to deliver His people from their enemies.

History records a marshal in the Napoleon's army; a man devotedly and enthusiastically attached to him was mortally wounded in battle. As the last struggle drew near and he lay dying in his tent, he sent for his chief. Napoleon came. The poor man thought his emperor could do anything. Perhaps he even sought to put him in the place of God. So he earnestly pleaded with his leader to save his life. The emperor sadly shook his head and turned away. But as the dying man felt the cold, merciless hand of death drawing him irresistibly behind the curtain of the unseen world, he was still heard to shriek out, "Save me, Napoleon! Save me!" In the hour of death, that soldier discovered that even the powerful Napoleon could not give him physical life.

God alone is the source of salvation. He alone could save the people from the hands of their enemies. God provided salvation through leaders. He empowered to do His will.

God is the only source of salvation today. The Bible tells of His intervention when it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ who offers His own sinless life as a substitute for the guilty. Jesus died on that cross so believers may live eternally. Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” He alone is the source of your salvation.

DAY 5 – September 18, 2009

TITLE: “WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP?”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:6-19

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: JUDGES 2:17-19

KEY VERSE: “But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.” Judges 2:19

What are you willing to give up? “Guidepost” Magazine reported some years ago, "When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song," tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. "He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teacher’s college. On graduating, I asked my father, 'Shall I be a teacher or a singer?' "'Luciano,' my father replied, 'if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.' 

"I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book--whatever we choose--we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that's the key. Choose one chair." 

In order to accomplish one thing we often have to let go of another. To posses something we must let go of something else. Even though God had reached out to His people saving them from their enemies they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. They chose to do what they wanted to do instead of what God wanted them to do. These people preferred evil over good and disobedience instead of obedience. They followed other gods instead of serving and worshipping the one true God who had done so very much for them. They lost so much because they were not willing to give up so little compared to the life God offered them.

It is said that film maker, Walt Disney, was ruthless in cutting anything that got in the way of a story's pacing. Ward Kimball, one of the animators for Snow White, recalls working 240 days on a 4 1/2 minute sequence in which the dwarfs made soup for Snow White and almost destroyed the kitchen in the process. Disney thought it was funny, but he decided the scene stopped the flow of the picture, so out it went. It just did not fit in the picture.

Sin and self-will do not fit in the picture God desires to create for our lives. There are things we give up because they get in the way of the life of righteousness and holiness God has created for us to live and enjoy. Is there something in your life that gets in the way of serving the Lord and worshipping Him? Spend some time in prayer today and ask God to show you if there is something you need to give up so you can receive all that God has for you as you serve and love Him with all of your heart.