I sat down to continue my journey of reading the Bible cover-to-cover on Sunday while my daughter napped and my son got lost in a movie.
I truly found myself enjoying the stories of Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. However, I kept noticing a theme of being let down. Granted Deborah was a truly good story because she stayed loyal and obedient to the Lord. And in all actuality Jephthah did too, but ugh, his ended in a heart-wrenching horror for me as a mother. But my gosh he stayed faithful, I honestly do not know how I could had done the same as he did... sadly, I just can't wrap my head around it. Which in his case, I am even more thankful for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Because I honestly believe I would had probably sinned in that same situation. I guess I will never know until that day would come which I pray it never does.
And the beginning of Gideon's story always makes me giggle with the three signs he needs because I have found myself in the exact same situation before (see how I became a photographer story - coming soon). And Gideon did so well up until the very end when he had the statue made of himself and his human nature failed to live up to the Lord's commandments. So once again I was let down here, shaking my head. And don't even get me started on his son.
Fast forward to Samson. Again, a mighty warrior of God to fall short to his human nature. However, the one beauty of Samson's story is this very last chapter.
Judges 16:28-30: "Then Samson prayed to theLord, “SovereignLord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”29Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other,30Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived."
This verse above is so powerful here because it shows: it is NEVER too late to seek the Lord!
However, it just goes down from here. I get completely disturbed from the rape to the very end.
"In those days, Isreal had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." Exodus 21:25
Granted, some may be scratching their heads saying well what's wrong with that? But, I was left feeling incredibly uncomfortable and just not feeling right about the book of Judges.
Judges 10 Lesson: Amen or Ouch?
They abandoned their true King over and over again and then had the nerve to even beg the Lord to save them after they were being slaughtered in Judges 10. This chapter is a perfect example about how we often suffer because we don't call on God till we have tried everything else. How we only call on God when we are in trouble and suffering. How we never seem to think we need God while things are going well, we forget him like we are able to do this life on our own. Don't get me wrong, because it truly does honor God when we call on Him as our first choice and not our last resort. Amen or Ouch, right?
Current Events: COVID-19
You know in a way I can't help but to see how this ties directly into our situation today. With COVID-19 wrecking havoc on our nation and other countries as well, you can't help but to wonder if God is becoming so desperate for our attention during this time. Rightfully so too! But look at the beauty in how he is doing it. News articles stating you can see Italy's clear waters for the first time ever, China's pollution went down so much so that you could actually see the blue sky for the first time. We as Americans are being forced to sit down and spend time together as a family. And you know what - I love it. Minus the fear of not being able to work and pay bills, I can't help but to be a little grateful for the force down to "be still". I am learning to call on God in this time of my anxiety while every thing is havoc, but yet, not really just yet for me and my family.
Minus people dying, because that is truly sad, but I have truly found so much beauty in this time of need. I'm reading my bible, I started yoga last night (which there will be a blog on that soon), I'm spending so much time with my kids, and I am truly leaning on God in this time like I have never before. I'm grateful for the roof over our head and my photography clients even more as I miss them dearly right now. I am so thankful to have food to eat and warm comfy clothes to lounge in all day. Life truly is amazing and it is so sad it took me this long to truly see it. Even if we lose our home due to no money. It's fine. It's just stuff. My heart is so truly happy to have found the Lord in a way I never have before. Granted, I was already on this path, but it's just giving me even more time to dedicate. I'm building my life on a firm foundation right now. In hopes that I will have it solid when (if) things go back to "normal".
Prayer:
Lord, I pray to you in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic. I pray for everyone out there who is hurting and sick. But I truly do pray that more people find you during this time than they ever would. More people become grateful for this down time and get lost in your scripture. Only then, Lord, will they truly see that it is all okay, and the virus starting to be lifted. I pray people who lost their loved ones truly feel your arms wrapped around them during this time of hurt. I pray for more light, praising and grace by our nation. I pray for so many things, Lord. You know all the words my heart can't fully get out right now. I thank You Lord, I praise You, I worship You, all in Jesus' name I pray, amen.
