tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226085.post-81126216644713963632008-05-06T07:38:00.000-07:002008-05-06T07:44:14.612-07:00AGAIN We are often tempted to give up when we fail at something. We convince ourselves that we tried our best but it was just not meant to be. Perhaps we’re stopping just short of a victory that God wants to bring about in our lives.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Judges, chapter nineteen, tells the story of a man from the Israeli tribe of Levi whose wife was raped and murdered by men from the tribe of Benjamin, also Israeli.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> In the next chapter, we find all the remaining tribes of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> prepared to take action against the offending parties. The Benjamites refused to turn over the men who had committed the offense and prepared to fight against their brothers.<o:p></o:p> <a name="12"></a>So all the Israelites were completely united, and they gathered together to attack the town. Judges 20:11 (NLT)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> But first…they consulted God…<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <a name="19"></a>Before the battle the Israelites went to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bethel</st1:place></st1:City> and asked God, “Which tribe should go first to attack the people of Benjamin?” <o:p></o:p> The LORD answered, “<st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Judah</st1:place></st1:country-region> is to go first.” <st2:bcv_smarttag st="on">Judges 20:18</st2:bcv_smarttag> (<st2:translation_smarttag st="on">NLT</st2:translation_smarttag>)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The men from the tribe of Benjamin killed 22,000 Israelis in that battle. Again, they consulted God…<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <a name="23"></a>But the Israelites encouraged each other and took their positions again at the same place they had fought the previous day. <a name="24"></a>23For they had gone up to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bethel</st1:place></st1:City> and wept in the presence of the LORD until evening. They had asked the LORD, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again?” <o:p></o:p> And the LORD had said, “Go out and fight against them.” <st2:bcv_smarttag st="on">Judges 20:22-23</st2:bcv_smarttag> (<st2:translation_smarttag st="on">NLT</st2:translation_smarttag>)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 18,000 Israelis were killed in that battle and again, they consulted God<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <a name="29"></a>…The Israelites asked the LORD, “Should we fight against our relatives from Benjamin again, or should we stop?” <o:p></o:p> The LORD said, “Go! Tomorrow I will hand them over to you.” <st2:bcv_smarttag st="on">Judges 20:28</st2:bcv_smarttag> (<st2:translation_smarttag st="on">NLT</st2:translation_smarttag>)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The Israelites defeated the men of the tribe of Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive. God had been true to His word. The Israelites had sought His advice and followed His instructions.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> So, when you are tempted to give up on something that you know God has told you to do, despite attacks and possibly temporary setbacks caused by your fellow tribesmen (other Christians!)…<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Ask God again for advice and help and stay the course. He will give you victory. He may just want to see how serious you are about what He has asked you to do. Try, try, again.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> SEEK FIRST THE <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">KINGDOM</st1:PlaceType> OF <st1:placename st="on">GOD</st1:PlaceName></st1:place><o:p></o:p>Pastor Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06908642713142787071noreply@blogger.com