Judges 1

Judges 1:1-36

SUMMARYUnfinished

OVERVIEWIsrael no longer fought as one nation. Instead, tribes teamed up to claim their land, but— unwisely—they did not thoroughly drive out their enemies.

BIG IDEAObey God completely.

KEY VERSEJudges 1:27 (Israel did not obey God)
The tribe of Manasseh failed to drive out the people living in Beth-shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and all their surrounding settlements, because the Canaanites were determined to stay in that region.

IF GOD WROTE YOU A LETTER
I want your complete obedience. Obedience is essential if we are going to have a growing, intimate relationship. You will be tempted from time to time only to hear what you want to hear, and only to obey when you want to obey. That is not total obedience. That is not submitting to my will. When you do live that way, you are taking my role and pushing me to the background. You may only do that when you feel overwhelmed and desperate, but I don’t want a part-time relationship with you. I want your complete obedience.

What prevents you from submitting to me and trusting me? In what ways are you afraid? Don’t you know if I call you to do something, I will empower you to do it? You already ask for my help with the big things in life. Start trusting me in the little things, too. Let me lead you all day long. Don’t limit me to part-time involvement. I know you and love you. Listen to me, obey me, and watch me work on your behalf.

NEXT STEP
Pray and ask God if there any areas of your life in which you have only partially obeyed. Sit quietly and listen. If God has put something on your heart, follow him completely. Say ‘yes’ to God and his will and ‘no’ to the temptation to do things on your own.

LYRIC VIDEO