Quick to Forget~

June 25, 2020 – Debbie Graham
Judges 8-9

Focus Verses
Judges 8:33-35 “So it was, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-Berith their god. Thus the children of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; nor did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (Gideon) in accordance with the good he had done for Israel.”

With an army of 32,000, the Israelites set out to conquer the Midianites.  The Lord said there were too many men and that man would get the credit for the victory instead of God.  Anyone scared could go back.  22,000 went back leaving 10,000 men.  Another 9,700 were sent back after being tested by the Lord down by the water (7:2-8).  The Lord delivered the Midianites into their hands with an army of only 300 valiant men! 

These Israelites have seen and heard about the hand of the Lord throughout their entire lives: The parting of the Red Sea, conquering princes and kings, crossing the Jordan, taking over many regions, and entering the promised land, just to name a few. 

They are dumb sheep!  As soon as Gideon who we read about just a few chapters ago, who had been visited by an angel that told him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor” (6:12) is dead, the Israelites are quick to worship other gods rather than the One True God.  They “did not remember the Lord their God who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies” (8:35).  God sent Gideon to the Israelites because they cried out to the Lord who had delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, because they had done evil in His sight.  These people never learn!  Once again, they return to their evil ways. 

Let us remember to always be faithful to our God who has delivered us from our evil ways and has faithfully been by our side through the difficult seasons in our lives.  If ever our earthly spiritual leader (pastor, parent, mentor, etc.) is gone, may we continue to follow Him and depend on the unfailing promises of our great Shepherd (Hebrews 12:20).  Regardless of what others choose to do, let us follow He who will never leave us and not be quick to forget!

Prayer
Father God, thank You for leading me and being my great Shepherd.  Please help me to not be quick to forget.  Please lead me and guide me in all of Your ways all of the days of my life.  May my life testify to Your goodness and deliverance.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.