“And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. 11 And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, … 13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. 14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.” Judges 10:10-14
Israel found themselves facing many enemies. Being overtaken by their foes was eminent. It was then they turned to God for help.
God was not blind to the hearts and minds of His people, however; He knew that they were involved deeply in sin. They had gotten involved in the idolatry of their godless neighbors. Most of the time they were hoping those deities of stone and wood would help them through life’s troubles. They were trusting in false and man made gods, rather than the only God in Heaven.
In time, when they realized their false trusts availed nothing, they turned to the real God. He in turn, told them He would not help them. Since they were turning to the false gods in past, He told them they should seek help from those deities.
We are not much different from those Israelites. People spend most of their lives trusting in their own little gods on a daily basis. When a problematic situation arises, the first “god” many turn to for a solution is their own “wisdom,” strength, and problem-solving ingenuity. It often takes many failures before it is discovered that solving the problem themselves makes matters worse or does not solve the situation.
Others gladly turn over an ever-increasing amount of taxes and blind trust to earn help from the government “god”, when they have unfulfilled needs. Instead of praying to God in Heaven for food or employment, when times are hard, the first stop they make is to the government welfare office for food stamps, or some other government assistance program. Not once had it entered into their minds to go their heavenly Provider first.
When life has thrown them a curve, and their health suddenly fails, it is not God they first seek for a cure, but a doctor or hospital’s intervention. By faith, they obey whatever the medical “gods” tell them to do, and again forget to look towards Heaven for His guidance.
If you really are a child of God, He should be the first source of help you go to in time of trouble. The Lord may use government help, or medical help to change your situation; but it should always be God’s direction that is sought first. It is easy to make a wrong decision, and make matters worse.
People always trust in doctors first, I was diagnosed with lung and breast cancer,and I prayed for the LORD’S direction and HE lead me and I learned to lean on HIM, and not put my complete trust in doctors! Doctors are men and man fails…but the LORD GOD made me and HE heals and comforts me
This just fell in perfect line with a devotion I’m doing for the ladies. Some are really struggling with family issues right now and need to learn Who they should go to when they have a need. Thank you.
It is true on our own we can not solve anything but with God on our side we can .
That’s so true! I have often found myself struggling with something for a while, only to realize I never sought God first! Many of my problems may have been shortened or completely eliminated had I turned to Him first! But then, how soon do I forget about Him the next time around!