5 MAY ESOCS Devotional
TEXT: JUDGES 20:18-36
MEMORY VERSE
“The Lord gave Israel victory over the army of Benjamin….” Judges 20:35
Steadfastness means “the quality of being resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” Writing about steadfastness in a Christian’s life, a writer wrote thus, “it is to rest confidently upon the teaching and promises of the Holy Scriptures.” Just as a man lays confidently down to rest upon his bed, so a Christian, in his steadfastness, rest confidently and without any fear or doubt, upon the never changing word of God(1Corinthians 15:58).
In our text today, we see steadfastness in the belief of the Israelites that they must follow the Lord’s direction if they must gain total victory over their enemies.
The first thing to do in life is to start every project or life pursuit by seeking the will of God. You do not have to neglect the Omniscience of God. He alone knows the end from the beginning. In verse 18 of our text, we read of the Israelites seeking God’s face before venturing to war with their enemies. The word of God says, “The Israelites went to the place of worship at Bethel, and there they asked God, “Which tribe should attack the Benjamites first? The LORD answered, the tribe of Judah.”
Read yesterday’s ESOCS devotional here
No matter what we face in the form of disappointment or failure in the course of relying on God, we should never stop. We have to push on. Always get back yo God in prayer. There is no profit in murmuring or crying to people. Put it to the Lord in prayer. He remains God and He is Omnipotent. In verses 19-21 of our text, we read that the Benjamites defeated Israelites in their first attack. But in verse 22 they went back to God in prayers. Verse 22 says, “Then the Israelites went to the place of worship and mourned in the presence of the LORD until evening. They asked him, “Should we go again into battle against our brothers the Benjamites? The LORD answered; Yes, So the Israelite army was encouraged, and they placed their soldiers in position again…..”(verses 23-27). After the second failure in verse 27, God spoke thus; “…The LORD answered, fight, tomorrow I will give you victory over them.”
It does not matter how long you have waited or how many times you have tried and failed. But what matters is whether you will be firm in relying on the LORD. He never fails to fulfill His purpose in the life of His people(Jeremiah 29:11). In verses 34 and 35 of our text, we see that the Lord gave Israel victory at last. It is written thus: “…The LORD gave Israel victory over the army of Benjamin. The Israelites killed 25,100 of the enemy that day.”
We must realize that as Christians we are under duty to depend totally on God. Thus, when the word of God specifies a way of conduct, we should take the pains and responsibility to subject ourselves to it. There is no better way out. God is the Author and Finisher of our lives (Psalms 40).
CHALLENGES
√ Do you have any better option to face life challenges than reliance on God?
5 May ESOCS Devotional – PRAYER POINT
√ I rely on your grace in all circumstances, Oh LORD!
√ Be thou exalted, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
FURTHER READING
√ Judges 20:37-48; Galatians 4:19-31; 5:1-13
