Reading the Bible through with me? Then grab your journal and pen and read Judges 19-21. As we come to the end of Judges, we read another of those sad statements. This one was about the downward spiral of Israelite faith and culture. The book ends in 21:25 with the statement: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
That’s anarchy. BUT if we just follow our hearts . . . well, not so much! Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.” If we use our intellect . . . well, that might work IF we have a transformed mind. Romans 12:2 tells us that having a transformed mind is the only way to prove that which is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. Just do what’s best for you. That statement reeks with self-centeredness. I Corinthians 10:31 tells us that “So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God!”
This life is not about us. It is about responding to God the Father’s gift of His only begotten Son with humility and submission and living life to bring glory to Him. We must walk in obedience to the word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Doing what is right in our own eyes, following an unredeemed heart and listening our own reasoning might feel good initially, but it will ultimately put us on a path to ruin. In Matthew 7:13-14, the Lord Jesus called it “a wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction.”
God knitted you together in your mother’s womb with purpose. If you want the best for yourself in this temporal life, follow Jesus with a whole heart. Read your Bible every day. Ruthlessly protect a time daily to get into God’s presence, to worship Him and hear His voice. Get involved in a Bible teaching church where you can be involved with other believers. Make yourself available to be used by Him. Obey Him swiftly and completely because it’s not about you. It’s about fulfilling the purpose for which God created you.
Let this be your prayer today: Lord, I know that Your word is truth. Remind me often that my heart will lead me to act based on emotion and my mind will lead me to act on limited knowledge. But Your word is truth and can always be trusted. My desire is to have my life align with Your truth every day. See John 17:17.
