Sun.’s Devo - Successes and Failures

Read: Judges 1:1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Pslm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25 Joshua had died and the tribe of Judah was ready to take possession of their land. They asked Simeon to help them since Simeon’s land was in the middle of theirs. They promised to help Simeon get their land in return. They were successful. They defeated the Canaanites and Perizzites but let Kibng Adoni-bezek live. They cut off his thumbs and big toes as he had done to his enemies. They conquered their part of Jerusalem, burning it down. *** Caleb promised his daughter in marriage for anyone who led the battle against Kiriath-sepher. Othniel did and became his son-in-law. Acsah urged Othniel to ask for the springs of water in the Negev she already had. He gave her the upper and lower springs. (I find it interesting that it is the women who were never satisfied with their land and were the ones to ask for more.) *** Next, we have a long list of the tribes who failed to drive out the enemies in their land. Judah, Simeon, Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali and Dan all failed to drive out the enemies in their land. The angel of the Lord rebuked them because they had made covenants with the people they swore they wouldn’t, and they didn’t destroy their altars. He told them that he would no longer go before them and drive out their enemies. Their enemies would be thorns in their sides and a constant temptation to them. *** The people were very sad. They served the Lord as long as they had a living testimony of what God had done. Once all the leaders who had witnessed God’s hand had died, the people fell into idolatry. *** Jesus had just finished giving them the list of things that would happen in the end. He said that when these things all happen they could know that the Kingdom of God is near. He warned them not to be distracted with coping mechanisms like partying or worrying, but to stay alert. Pray to stay strong so you can escape these coming horrors. *** Their day of temptation was coming. Satan entered Judas and he went to talk about how to betray Jesus to the religious leaders. *** Meanwhile, Jesus sent some of his disciples ahead of him to find the place God had prepared for them to have their last supper together. It was all prepared for them. Lord, our lives are full of successes and failures. May we learn from our mistakes and draw near to you and discern the days we are living in.