King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: It's God's Call
Date: Monday March 19, 2012
Today's Chapters: Judges 20-21

Hello My Friend,

When you hear about all the wars and natural disasters going on around the world today one cannot help, but weep, if you are human, you must have some kind of compassion for those who are suffering, especially when they really have no idea what is going on. There is a time and season for all things, and while God's judgment may or may not be what we think is fair, it's all God's call. He is in control, He is King of all and He takes care of His own, whether it be through rewards, trials, or chastisement. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - I Peter 4:16-19.

Before peace, often comes war, in chapter 19 we read about the Levite and his concubine (girl friend), who died when men took her and abused her. He cut up her body into twelve pieces and sent them to the twelve tribes of Israel. Shortly after, a general meeting of all the congregation of Israel was conducted to examine the matter concerning the Levite's concubine, and to consider what needed to be done about it. The conclusion, a civil war, between the children of Israel and Benjamin (who were also a part of the tribe) “And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel...So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.” - Judges 20:4-7,11.

The Levite wanted vengeance for the tragic death of his concubine. While we are all responsible for our own actions, God will use circumstances like these to His advantage. The war was not only an act of judgment upon all of Israel, it was an act of repentance and a reminder that all who receive Christ are children of God. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:16-18.

The first two times that Israel finally began seeking God's counsel He allowed the Benjamites to defeat them. Truthfully, Israel was right to go up against Benjamin, their abomination to God was enough to cause God to place judgment upon them. However, God allowed the Benjamites to defeat Israel for one reason and one reason only. To get them to repent as well. “And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.) And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.” - Judges 20:21-25.

What comes to mind here is, no sin goes unpunished, one might think that they have gotten away with something, but it all catches up to them eventually. And until they repent, there is no peace. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;” - Romans 2:9-12.

God lead Israel to destroy nearly all the Benjamites, but after the war they cried, had compassion on their brother, and helped them get things back in order. “And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel? And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings...And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 21:2-4,24,25.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, yes, we are going to suffer affliction through others sinful lives, we are going to fight, but just like Jesus has love and compassion for all of us, we too are to show love and compassion to all who have wronged us. Once again, we learn that there was no king in Israel, which means if they had set their eyes on God in the first place they would have known that He was their king. “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.” - Psalm 72:11-14.

Today's Psalm: 10:16 - “The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.”

Today's Proverb: 8:20 - “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:”

Today's Prayer: God, As one of Your children I know there are going to be times when we suffer not for our own sins, but through others who have sinned. While I do not understand the affliction I face sometimes, I do understand that everything I go through has a purpose and blessing behind it. Help me to keep my eyes on You so that I am prepared to handle the affliction I face, let me not do what is right in my own eyes, but in Yours. Show me the way to endure all the suffering I face so that I can see the blessings unfold. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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