March 6 – Judges 9:34-41
March 6 – Judges 9:34-41
34 So
Abimelech and all the men who were with him rose up by night and set an ambush
against Shechem in four companies. 35 And Gaal the
son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and
Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from the ambush. 36 And
when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down
from the mountaintops!” And Zebul said to him, “You mistake the
shadow of the mountains for men.” 37 Gaal spoke
again and said, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and
one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak.” 38 Then
Zebul said to him, “Where is your mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is
Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you
despised? Go out now and fight with them.” 39 And
Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with
Abimelech. 40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled
before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate. 41 And
Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives, so that
they could not dwell at Shechem.
Battle ensues. People are
sent running and many men are wounded. The men run off Gaal and the town is
separated. More strife, more misery and more men are wounded and killed. This
power play is not over and again no one seeks God.
God knew having a king was
not going to be healthy for the Israelites. They persisted and He allowed them
to pursue their desire to be like other nations with a king as a leader.
Are we like the
Israelites? Do we go chase after what the world values and desires? Check
yourself today. Who or what are you pursuing and how does this pursuit line up
with God and his desires for your life?
Heavenly Father, how often
my desires are all I can see and they cloud my sight of You and Your will for
me. I want to desire only Your will for
me but I know my human desires get me way too often. The enemy is so conniving. And although he is powerful, I know You are
the most powerful and can overcome him at any moment with just a flick of Your
finger. I know You have given us free will, but I want my will to lign up with
Your plan. Help me see You and Your plan
before anything else and give me the strength to follow it.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
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