THURSDAY January 19, 2017
Getting off the Sinful Cycle
Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; and they forsook the LordGod of their fathers… - Judges 2:11
Moses recounts Israel’s history, but then within Deuteronomy 28-30, especially in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Moses presented to Israel the possible blessings of God through obedience and the cursing, as a result of their disobedience. In the book of Judges,we find that the people of Israel were going around in a sinful cycle, as if on a roller coaster ride. Judges 21:2 tells us their mindset:…everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This is the philosophy of the book of Judges.
Yet, God in His faithfulness gave them judges, who led them spiritually and delivered them from their enemies. But when any judge died, Israel fell back into the same repetitive sinful cycle. They stubbornly continued to choose to live sinful lives with no real spiritual change. Judgment came from the Lord because of Israel’s spiritual apostasy and from a lack of obedience.
As we look around our world today we can see a parallel––we see a generation who does not honor God or man. Man without God desires to govern himself, be in control and have his own way. We have a generation who refuses to worship God, willfully rebels, disobeys and has no respect for life. Why? Our children and young adults do not know God’s Word. Parents have failed to teach them God’s principles and morals. Most children do not even know God’s Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17). Seriously, there is no fear of God today!
Sadly, today’s generation is not experiencing God’s blessings; they are trapped in a terrible cycle of sin, suffering the consequences. What about yourself? Do you need to repent from a life of disobedience? Ask the Lord to help you break your sinful cycle so you can enjoy God’s blessings.
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
~John 13:7~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!