OCTOBER 15, Judges 2:3-6

The period of the Judges is a sad one for Israel – it would be about 350 years of degeneration before the Monarchy (that is, when Israel is ruled by kings) took place. Israel now had a new generation – a generation after Joshua and the leaders who fought alongside Joshua. The main problem was that these people strayed.

In a way, this group of people is similar to the “second-generation Christians” (SGC) we see in church. Are you a SGC? If you are, chances are you came to church when you were very young; you did not ask to be in church; you might sometimes not like coming to church; you might have heard of many Bible stories; and perhaps sometimes, you think you know a lot already.

If you are in this category, be careful. Be careful of the sin of knowing about the Bible but not knowing the Jesus of the Bible.

Not all SGCs are saved. They might be church-going and Bible- carrying, but what is much more important is that they must know Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.

Are there times when you would rather not go to church but your parents drag you there anyway? Or perhaps you do not see your parents living the Christian life that you or your Junior Worship teachers teach you and thus, you might be discouraged?

Remember that your parents are not perfect; they have weaknesses and failings because they are also human. Pray for them. Look to the Lamb of God, our precious Lord Jesus, who is the perfect example for all of us.

The repentance of the SGC in the times of Judges was NOT real, for they went back to their old ways of sin even after showing outward remorse or sadness. Let us not be like them.

Thought: Is my repentance real and sincere?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be really sorry for the sin I have committed and teach me to have genuine repentance, especially if I am a SGC. Please help me to examine my life and to ensure that I am Your child. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.