The Amazing Compassion of God
Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.
. . . After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. . . .They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the LORD's anger because they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
In His anger against Israel the LORD gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. . . .They were in great distress.
Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. . . .Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, He was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies . . . for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. Judges 2:8-18
. . . After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. . . .They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the LORD's anger because they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
In His anger against Israel the LORD gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. . . .They were in great distress.
Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. . . .Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, He was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies . . . for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. Judges 2:8-18
The generation of Israelites who followed after the death of Joshua chose neither to recognize God nor remember His past goodness to their nation. They did not remember the plagues God brought on Egypt. They did not remember the parting of the Red Sea or the Jordan River. They neither remembered how the massive wall of Jericho came down nor how God caused the Sun and Moon to stand still until their enemies had been defeated. As a result, they shifted their allegiance and worship to the various gods they encountered in the Promised Land. These were the gods they gave credit to and worshiped! That is what happens when we forget our roots!
God had to bring judgment. He allowed them to be plundered by their enemies with great distress. Out of compassion, God would raise judges such as Samson and Gideon who would lead them against their enemies but the people were so hardened in sin that they refused to listen to their judges.
Nonetheless, God showed great compassion: "For the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who afflicted them." God had every right to wipe them out but He did not. That is amazing mercy! Mercy is not getting what we rightly deserve to get by way of punishment!
The Bible declares that it is because of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning and great is His faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Let us be extremely grateful for the fresh mercies and compassions we receive from God every day! We deserve to be wiped out but He shows us new mercies every morning.
This compassion is simply amazing. Take a moment to reflect over it.
God had to bring judgment. He allowed them to be plundered by their enemies with great distress. Out of compassion, God would raise judges such as Samson and Gideon who would lead them against their enemies but the people were so hardened in sin that they refused to listen to their judges.
Nonetheless, God showed great compassion: "For the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who afflicted them." God had every right to wipe them out but He did not. That is amazing mercy! Mercy is not getting what we rightly deserve to get by way of punishment!
The Bible declares that it is because of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning and great is His faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Let us be extremely grateful for the fresh mercies and compassions we receive from God every day! We deserve to be wiped out but He shows us new mercies every morning.
This compassion is simply amazing. Take a moment to reflect over it.
Prayer: Father, words are simply inadequate to express my gratitude to you for your daily compassion on my life. I am deeply grateful. Amen.