Judges 9:22-57, Judges 10:1-18
We all know the saying, 'what you sow you reap'. Having dealt treacherously with his half-brothers, Abimelech in turn experienced treachery at the hands of some of his people (9:24). In the ensuing battles, Abimelech was killed because God had so arranged it (9:56).
When the Israelites again sinned against God (10:6), He punished them once more. It might seem that God is watching us like a hawk in case we sin, and will then punish us for sinning. Not so, for believers are under grace; every one of our sins is forgiven already thanks to Jesus. Rather think of God as being our Father. What father will not punish his young child for playing with matches? And how about when a young child runs out into the street having been forbidden to do so for fear of being run over by a car?
Let's not say God 'punishes'; rather say He corrects. He does it out of love because He knows what bad habits can do in our lives, and how bad choices will prevent us from joining Him in heaven. His correction is not about punishment, but designed to correct us and keep us on The Way to God.
Luke 24:13-53
Sometimes Jesus asked questions to help people verbalise what they thought about Him. The two on the Emmaus road thought Jesus was dead and buried, but were also confused over reports of His resurrection. Jesus responds by pointing out that everything they needed to know about Him had already been written by the prophets. Reading the Bible, with faith to believe that it is accurately given to us by God, is still the best way to get to know Him better!
Psalm 100:1-5
I find it sad that the worship of God is being left out of the assemblies in some schools. I still cherish memories of singing, 'Praise God from Whom all blessings flow'. I was not a born again believer until the final months of my Matric year, but that did not mean I did not appreciate the majesty of God up to then. In my parents' home, my siblings and I were brought up to respect God for Who He is - Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth. Such teachings reinforced by wonderful hymns of praise at school built a foundation that has brought much blessing to me through the years.
Proverbs 14:11-12
There is a proliferation of religions founded by so-called Christians, some of whom have even had the temerity to produce their own 'translation' of the Bible in which certain verses are altered incorrectly so that it falls in with what they want to believe. (There is a warning in Revelation 22:18-19 against such a practice).
Bibles from the Bible Society are acceptable, and well worth reading if you want to find the road to God!
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