THE EVIL OF BACKSLIDING FROM GOD

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For WEDNESDAY, 12TH APRIL, 2023.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer, Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l

Topic: THE EVIL OF BACKSLIDING FROM GOD

MEMORIZE: “But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.” Deuteronomy 32:15.

SCRIPTURE READING: Judges 4:1-3.

And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. 2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. 3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. 

EXPOSITION:

Jeshurun is a poetical name for the people of Israel, used in token of affection, meaning, "the dear upright people". But it is a pity that when they were established and satisfied in land flowing with milk and honey, they backslide from following God; they again did evil in his sight, forsook his service, and worshipped idols; for this was the sin which now most easily beset them, Judges 4:1. The strange strength of corruption, which hurries men into sin not minding the most frequent experience of its fatal consequences is fast spreading even today among the people of God. The bent to backslide comes with great difficulty which should be restrained. Love for material possession and desire to be like other so called celebrities is a bait of the devil to lure us away from following God. Israel was not sensitive of this fact, they ran after the gods of the land and worshipped them at the time they were enjoying peace in the land.

 

The common ill effects of a long peace. 

Peace is the blessing of God on a land which should compels us to serve Him more faithfully and be closer to Him. In the days of Ehud, a good governor in Israel, the land had rest eighty years, which should have confirmed them and established them in their religion; but, on the contrary, after he died, the peace they are enjoying made them secure and wanton, and indulgent of those lusts which the worship of the false gods was calculated for the gratification of. They desired and worshipped strange gods, the forbidden idols of the land. Thus the prosperity of fools destroys them. Jeshurun waxeth fat and kicketh against the Lord - Deuteronomy 32:15. 

The Lord says, “As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, 27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. 28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah. 29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 2:26-29.

The great loss which people sustain by the death of good governors is so great. The children of Israel did evil, because Ehud was dead. So it may be read. He kept a strict eye upon them, restrained and punished everything that looked towards idolatry, and kept them close to God's service. But, when he was gone, they revolted, fearing him more than God. This is what happens today. People fear human being they can see than God, the Creator. When we thought we are free to do evil because the person we fear is not seeing us, it makes us fool, because God is everywhere watching us, who alone will reward us accordingly.

PRAYER POINT: Like the Psalmist, we cry unto you, Lord, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” in Jesus name. (Psalm 51:12).

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  2 Kings 13-15.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide of ANCHOR OF LIFE & REDEMPTION MINISTRY (ALRM), written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

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