Wednesday, April 4, 2012

SOAP 04/04/2012; Judges 21:25

Today's reading: Judges 19,20,21; 2 Corinthians 4

S)"25In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Judges 21:25 (NASB)
O) I was shocked to read the story of the levite and his concubine. Not shocked about the incident happening, but rather at how closely it mirrors the story of Lot in Sodom, when the two angels visit him. It just goes to show that eventually, regardless of whether or not the people are God's people, eventually everyone will become vile if they're not actually living a life submitted to God. This last verse really does sum up the problem Israel had throughout the period of the judges. Taken to the theocratic kingdom, it sums up the problem with the modern-day Christian. If Jesus is not our king, we will do whatever we think is right - which almost always devolves into primal urges as we justify and rationalize whatever we want.
 
A) The most important thing is to continue living under the sovereignty of the King of kings, Jesus Christ. I need to continually see my life as His subject, putting myself under His direct rule and authority. With each decision I make, I need to stop to determine if it is simply and only what I want to do, or if it is in accordance with my King's Way.
 
P) Father, I am unfit to lead my own life. I have proven it time and time again that my own decisions and desires only lead to pain, loss, destruction, and even death. Your ways are good, though. Your instruction leads to prosperity. Your discipline leads to righteousness. Your rules are life to me. I will continue to put my life and will in Your hands to follow You completely, LORD. Holy Spirit, make me aware of every decision I make that's outside the will of my King so that I am not living in secret or unknown rebellion to the Throne. I don't want to do whatever I think is right, I want to do whatever my King tells me is right. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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