March 29 – Reading 88

MARCH 29 – Reading 88

by John Christian Pra | March 29

“CAN THIS GET ANY WORSE?”
(Judges 19:1 – 21:25 & Judges 12:8 – 13:25)

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 21:25

The book of Judges ends in a place worse than it begins. Evil, wickedness, civil war, and still no sign of salvation marks the reality of God’s people. How did they get there? Maybe you’ve asked the same about where you find yourself in life. How did I get here? Often times our expectations of what life will be like turns out much different than the day-to-day grind we find ourselves in. 

The author of Judges wants us to see Israel at rock bottom. The final stories shared in Gibeah remind us of the culture in Sodom before the Lord destroyed them in Genesis. After everything God brought them through, they are back living like Sodom. 

The good news for Israel (and for us) is that it doesn’t end at rock bottom. The entire story of Judges is a cry for salvation. Who will save us? And this cry is meant to provoke us to ask the same question: who will save me? Each of us alone knows the depth of our depravity. Paul himself referred to himself as “the chief of sinners.” Only in that place of brokenness and humility are we able to finally realize we need a Savior. Ruling ourselves, being our own king, and doing what’s right in our eyes isn’t working anymore. 

We need a Savior. 

For Israel, that righteous king would first come in the person of David who ends up being a signpost to the ultimate King and Savior, Jesus. 

Simple Truth:
Let these truths of Israel’s complete depravity remind you of your need for a Savior, and let it drive you back to Jesus today. Their need was for a Savior. Your desperate need is not more money, more notoriety, more comfort, or more counseling. It’s for a Savior. It’s for Jesus. 

Reflections: 

• What emotions does Israel’s depravity and sinfulness provoke within you?
• Does your own sin cause you to recognize your need for a Savior?
• What areas of life are you still ruling over and how can you turn that to Jesus?

Application: 

• Israel’s sinfulness should be a mirror for us to recognize our sinfulness. 
• The deep cry in the book of Judges is for a savior, which should provoke us for our need for a Savior. 
• Draw near to Jesus and receive salvation from sin and be rescued from slavery to sinfulness and the kingdom of self.

Closing Prayer: 
Father, I come before You today by the precious blood of Jesus. I recognize my lack and my need for You. Today, I thank You for Your salvation and for saving me from my sin. I see in myself the brokenness and sinfulness that kept me in bondage, but through You, Jesus, I have freedom. Thank You for coming to earth to save me and set me free. Thank You for hearing my cry, and I pray that You will continue to lead me on paths of righteousness all the days of my life. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for saving me. Amen.