“INDEPENDENT THINKING”
Upon my completion of reading the Old Testament book of Judges, I couldn’t help but notice this final and ominous verse in the book:
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)
It isn’t the first time in Judges that this statement is made.
In Judges 17:6 it says much the same thing except the reference there is “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (my italics added) instead of “everyone.”
And so it seems that things degenerated even further in just four short chapters – from “every man” to “everyone.”
NO KING IN ISRAEL
This “independent thinking” on the part of the people in Judges was tied to the fact that there was “no king in Israel.”
Isn’t that something?
There was no king in Israel.
Who was supposed to be king in Israel?
Do you know the answer?
That’s right.
God was supposed to be king in Israel.
But He was no longer in that position.
God was no longer in charge of the Jewish nation.
It was because they didn’t want Him in charge.
A DANGEROUS THING
It goes without saying that it is a dangerous thing to walk about in this life being “in charge” – doing what’s right in your own eyes (i.e. relativism).
The Bible says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25)
Another translation puts it, “Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road he thinks is right, but it ends in death.” (Proverbs 16:25; Living Bible)
The fact is none of us is smart enough to plan our own way.
None of us is smart enough to direct our own lives.
And it is a foolish thing to think that we are.
As Israel was wrong in turning their backs on God, so it is wrong for us to do it as well.
We need God as our King.
It is the only way we can assure ourselves of avoiding disaster.
It is the only way!!!
JESUS, BE MY KING
I found myself praying on one of the mornings after considering this, “Jesus, be in charge of me. Jesus, be my King.”
It’s a good prayer for us all to pray.
Who’s in charge of your life today?
God, I surrender my life to You. I confess my sins. Forgive me and help me to follow You from now on. #Tworship pic.twitter.com/ar83PbQPPI
— aheartforgod (@aheartforgod) April 27, 2016
(King via pixabay)
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