4/21

Judges 10:13-14

¹³Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. ¹⁴Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress."

When the Israelites would find themselves oppressed by a foreign power, they would cry out to the LORD. The reason God allowed the oppressor to have the victory over them was because they were worshiping foreign gods that they thought would bring them success and prosperity. It was the faithfulness of God that showed them that was a false hope. They instinctively knew the reason for their misery. They had turned from the one true God, so they would cry out to Him for help.

God was driving the point home when He told them to cry out to the gods they had been serving. If those gods had any power the Israelites would not be in the situation they were in. They would not be under conviction to return to the one true God. It happened over and over, and the mercy of God would always send a deliverer.

Their repeated backsliding is called "presuming upon the grace of God." They knew God was merciful and gracious so they were not afraid to return to the foreign gods. That should tell us that other gods are seductive in their lying promises. They appeal to our fleshly nature. The fear of God's discipline should keep us from turning to them, and the realization that God's ways are best should deter us as well.

Are there gods of this world that are enticing you to serve them instead of the true God? Image is one that is constantly presented to us a satisfying god. If you were just a little thinner or had a face-lift or some enhancement or extra energy, or those clothes, the advertisements say, you would be much happier. Look at the smiling faces in those ads!

The other god we constantly see advertised is wealth. If you invest in this or that you'll become wealthy and wealth will provide things that make you happy and secure. But when calamity strikes, we can cry out to those gods, but they will never save us, or comfort us, or give us the strength to endure. What god are you serving? The only one worthy to be served is the Creator of all good things. He is the only One that can answer us in our times of need.

Prayer: Keep my heart fixed on You, LORD. Expose the lie of false gods. Help me to remember and obey the commandment to worship and serve You and You alone (Exodus 20:3-5).