DAY 22: Thursday, October 22
TOPIC: Our Judges and the Judicial System
SCRIPTURE: “…then God raised up judges who saved them from their plunderers. But they wouldn’t listen to their judges; they prostituted themselves to other gods—worshiped them! They lost no time leaving the road walked by their parents, the road of obedience to God’s commands. They refused to have anything to do with it.” -Judges 2: 16-17 (The Message)
OBSERVATION: There is certainly every good reason for us to pray for Judges and our judicial system, especially in these days of cultural strife, injustices, differences of view, arguments over everything. That God raised up judges who deliver God’s people is a biblical given. That we do not to listen to our judges—especially if we believe they can’t, don’t, or won’t “judge” like we believe they should, is a human given—in the words of Burger King, we like to “have it our way.” The trouble is, it was never supposed to be “our way;” this is God’s good creation! The key to harmony may yet be what human beings were called to do first in creation—to walk with God. What difference might it make if we were walking with God, rather than blaming “the other side.” It’s not about what the judges do—it’s about what the people do. Not about “them;” it’s about US.
PRAYER: Holy God, we are grateful for your care of us—for your deliverance, walking with us, and gifting us with commandments that lead to life for all peoples. We pray, “teach us your ways and show us your paths;” but too often we choose our own paths and demand our own ways. So, help us write a new ending to our story, your ending, that comes from walking with you.