The darker the world, the brighter our future
The world so much darker than any of us thought it would ever get. But there is always hope, because God is always here. And His mercy never runs out.
Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering. But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. (Judges 2:18-19)
How did we get here?
I’m not sure where “here” is for you. Maybe it’s a financial place. Maybe it’s a physical illness or a damaged reputation or a failing relationship. Maybe you were the problem. Maybe you were the victim.
We are all in “a place” in our lives, and most of the time how we got there is always going to boil down to a simple explanation: Sin.
Brokenness. Selfish ambition. Fear. Pride. Even those of us with the most well-meaning intentions suffer from feelings of insecurity and anxiety and selfishness, and we choose a way that makes sense to us. But when we base our choices on the way that looks right without asking God if it is right, many times we end up in trouble.
The Book of Judges is one of the darkest chapters of Israel’s history, and it contains some of the most horrifying stories in the whole Bible.
So many times we believers point fingers at Israel in those times. They turned their backs on God. They went their own way instead of His. They did their own thing. So God punished them. Big deal, right? They deserved it.
But hang on a second. It’s really easy to respond that way to people in history because we weren’t living alongside them. We weren’t on the street with them. We weren’t surrounded by their culture and the pressures of everyday life. And we need to remember that not every person who turns their back on God is doing something evil from a human point of view.
All it takes to turn your back on God is to do something that you want to do rather than what He wants you to do. And I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of that. I’m guilty of that every day.
If you think about it that way, our entire nation and country is as guilty (or guiltier) than Israel during the time of the Judges. The average American Christian goes about life without asking God for His direction or guidance. Or even if we know what He expects from us, we don’t always do it. We do what we want.
But if the story of the Judges teaches us anything it is the unfathomable depths of God’s compassion for the people He loves. It didn’t matter how many times Israel turned against Him, He still sent judges to save them. It didn’t matter how many generations neglected to tell their children about what God had done for them, God still protected and saved His people.
And we have seen that truth in America too. We have done worse and worse sins as the years have gone on, and it’s not just the world we’re talking about here. The world is going to do what God says is wrong. We can’t expect people who don’t belong to Jesus to behave like they do. But those of us who belong to God? If we are living our lives in such a way that grieves God’s heart, that damages God’s reputation, we need to take a step back and consider our motivations.
God will have mercy. He always does because that’s who He is, and His mercy isn’t connected to whether or not we deserve it. Nobody deserves mercy. That’s the point.
No matter where you are today, no matter how you got here, no matter what place you are in, know this: God will make a way for you if you ask Him to help you.
No matter how many times Israel turned against Him, God always saved them. He is the same God today as He was then, merciful, faithful, ever-loving, and endlessly patient.
The world is dark. It’s so much darker than any of us thought it would ever get. But there is always hope, because God is always here. And His mercy never runs out.
The world as it stands today is unsustainable. It’s on a downward spiral, and that’s actually right where it’s supposed to be. But just because the world is circling the drain doesn’t mean our lives have to follow it. God has made us a promise, and He always keeps His promises.
Questions for Reflection
Why do you think God was so patient and compassionate to the people of Israel?
What is a recent example from your life of how dark and hopeless the world has become?
When you experience the world’s darkness on that level, what do you do to remember the hope God has promised us?
Weekly Memory Verse
