March 13 – Judges 11:18-28

March 13 – Judges 11:18-28

¹⁸ “Then they journeyed through the wilderness and went around the land of Edom and the land of Moab and arrived on the east side of the land of Moab and camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the boundary of Moab. ¹⁹ Israel then sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, king of Heshbon, and Israel said to him, ‘Please let us pass through your land to our country,’ ²⁰ but Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory, so Sihon gathered all his people together and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel. ²¹ And the Lord, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they defeated them. So Israel took possession of all the land of the Amorites, who inhabited that country. ²² And they took possession of all the territory of the Amorites from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the wilderness to the Jordan. ²³ So then the Lord, the God of Israel, dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel; and are you to take possession of them? ²⁴ Will you not possess what Chemosh your god gives you to possess? And all that the Lord our God has dispossessed before us, we will possess. ²⁵ Now are you any better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever contend against Israel, or did he ever go to war with them? ²⁶ While Israel lived in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities that are on the banks of the Arnon, 300 years, why did you not deliver them within that time? ²⁷ I therefore have not sinned against you, and you do me wrong by making war on me. The Lord, the Judge, decide this day between the people of Israel and the people of Ammon.” ²⁸ But the king of the Ammonites did not listen to the words of Jephthah that he sent to him.

After traveling through the wilderness and around Moab and Edom, Israel sent word to Sihon’s king of the Amorites and the king of Heshbon requesting passage through the country. Not only were they denied passage, but Sihon surrounded the Israelites and desired to war against them.  God in his faithfulness, gave Sihon, its people and possessions into the hands of the Israelites.  One way we can honor God is to be mindful and conscious of what he gives us. 

How has God blessed you?

What has he given you? 

Take time to mentally make a list or even jot down a few thoughts. 

Thank God for his immeasurable gifting and ask him how to use your blessings, talents, gifts, and/or possessions.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the wonderful gifts You have given me.  Thank You for protecting me from the enemy and blessing me in more ways than I can count.  You are so amazing in how You provide for me in areas I didn’t know I needed help, and giving me more than I could imagine.  I don’t deserve anything from You and yet You give me everything!  Thank You for loving me when I am so unlovable.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!