Disobeying God’s command
August 20, 2022 in Today's Prayer by TGV
JUDGES 2B: PRAYER GUIDE.
Judges 2: Prayer Guide/ 7-BSG-2B (Judges 2:2, 11-13)/ Theme: Disobeying God’s command/ Hymn: Trust and Obey (SDAH 590).
Key Text: “And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?” (Judges 2:2, NKJV)
Opening Remarks: The angel of the Lord charged Israel with breaking their covenant with God. Despite Yahweh’s faithfulness on their behalf (Jdg. 2:1; cf. Lev 26:42-44; Dt 7:9), they were unfaithful (Jdg. 2:2; cf. Ex. 34:12–16). God commanded them “not to make any league or covenants” with the Canaanites. What did they do instead? They chose to ignore His instructions and disobeyed His command. Note that if Israel had stayed true and faithful to the Lord God, He, in return, would have given them a complete victory. Instead, what should have been “a victory celebration” turned out to be “a time of bitter weeping” (Jdg. 4:4). Israel’s choice [disobedience] restricted Yahweh from driving out Israel’s enemies from before them (Jdg. 2:3). Beloved, how do we make our choices today (Josh 24:15)? Are we determined to “obey” the Lord no matter the consequences? Or have we become pleasant, proud, stonehearted people who care less about God’s commands? Remember, God, can’t act favorably toward us if we don’t choose right (obedience).
Values to Build On: Obedience to God –(His word, will, instructions); Prayer & genuine Repentance.
Sins to Avoid/ Confess: Forgetting what the Lord has done (Jdg. 2:6–10); Forsaking what the Lord has said (Jdg. 2:11–13); Forfeiting what the Lord has promised (Jdg. 2:14–15); Failure to learn from what the Lord did (16–23). Specific Sins — not adhering to God’s instructions to destroy images, idols, pagan altars, and any other aspects of illegitimate worship; Failure or refusal to drive out all of the Canaanites.
Something to Thank God: In 2 Timothy 2:13, the Bible says, ”if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown himself.”
People to Pray For: [1] Pray for each believer to have a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ; [2] Pray for spiritual leaders to lead with integrity and set an excellent example for others; [3] Pray for all Christians to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus Christ – (if local church leaders are corrupt, the congregants should not be deceived into adopting corrupt principles); [4] Pray for each believer to guard even more the laziness, the laxness, the lethargy that tends to cause their downfall. We must focus so much more on God’s grace and mercy to share His love for others. We often “talk about God” but rarely “talk to God” in prayer.
Issues to Pray For: [1] Pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, for discernment, and the study of God’s word; [2] Pray for steadfastness – (to always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ). This is how we will avoid being led astray into whatever is outside the will of God for our lives.
Today’s Promise: Focus/ God rewards those who obey Him — “Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:5, NKJV) “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29, NKJV)
JUDGES 2Z: CLOSING PRAYER.
Closing Prayer/ Judges 2, (7-BSG-2Z)/ Is there a prayer I can pray/echo in this chapter? Yes.
Heart Questions: Read Judges chapter two again. Compare your own sinful experiences to this account of Israel’s departure and backsliding. Can any portrait be more strikingly drawn? How many messages of grace, like “the Angel of the Lord” (Jdg. 2:1) from Gilgal, must God send you to call thy ways to remembrance and repentance?
Notice the purpose of God’s forbearance:
- “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4, NKJV)
- “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4, NLT)
Prayer: Father, we thank You again for Your word in Judges chapter two. We thank You for the gift of life, for another chance to hear the Gospel and make necessary changes in our lives.
We thank You for Your unchanging character – Compassion, and mercy! Slow to anger! Faithfulness and unfailing love! Ready to forgive our iniquity, rebellion, and sin!
We thank You for Your works of creation, recreation, salvation, and redemption. We thank You for the daily blessings You bestow upon us – for “they are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23).
Father, this is a heartbreaking chapter. Israel’s success/ solutions in the promised land are alluded to here –(obedience to the covenant), but they thought they could disobey You and get away with it. Consequently, they failed miserably (Jdg. 2:2, 4, 14-15, 20-21), and the Canaanites became irritants in their eyes and “thorns in their sides” (Judg. 2:3; cf. Numb 33:55; Jos 23:13).
Lord, help us learn our lessons well –(adhering to Your instructions to destroy all idols: images, pagan altars, and any other aspects of illegitimate worship). May Thy Spirit help us to identify those things (sins) that separate us from You (Isa. 59:1-2), to repent at once and start afresh with You.
Father, we thank You for the freedom of choice (cf. Gen 2:15). You have given us the power to choose, and quite often, we tend to act foolishly, taking the easy sinful route. Even though that route is hazardous for us (Proverbs 14:12), we tend to follow it, for we are disobedient, stubborn, and often resist Your Spirit. On this day, may each one of us, after having read this chapter, repent immediately and “choose wisely” to obey You and follow Your Commands. May we endeavor to turn to Jesus, seek His guidance, and follow Him step by step while holding onto His mighty hand.
Father, help us to commemorate what You have done for and in us and to give compelling testimony to those around us. Help others to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ through us and cry out to You in faith, repentance, and recommitment. Forgive us, dear Lord, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May Thy Spirit continue to plead with us, and teach us how to obey Thy word, will, commands, and instructions – until the Day of Christ’s appearing (Tit. 2:13; Heb 10:37).
In His name, we pray and give You all the honor, praise, and glory. Amen.