And the children of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.
— Judges 10:15-16
ISRAEL HAD FORSAKEN God. Once again, they began worshiping false gods. And once again, they ended up in bondage—crying out to God.
God responded by saying, “I have helped you in the past, but I will deliver you no more.” In Genesis 6:3, God warned, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.” There comes a time when God says “Enough.” To the children of Israel, He said: “Go and cry unto the gods you have chosen.”
They knew those gods couldn’t help them. It is interesting that whenever someone is in real trouble, they know instinctively that the only One who can help is the true and the living God. When trouble comes, even the rebellious cry out “Oh, God, help me!”
AS WE ARE TOLD IN 1 JOHN 1:9, “IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTOUSNESS.”
These people did a wise thing. They cast themselves on the mercies of God. And because they did so, God delivered them again from the hands of their enemies. God is so merciful! And that same mercy is available to us today.
God doesn’t owe us anything. But He has promised to be merciful to any who forsake their wicked ways and turn to Him.
Lord, thank You for continuing to strive with men and women today. Help us to surrender our hearts to You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.