Category: Judges-BibleTrekToday
Trek Through Judges
The promised Holy Spirit
Scripture reading for April 15th: Judges 19-21, Acts 2
Acts 2: 37-41 “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Jesus had told His disciples before He ascended to heaven to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. (Acts 1:8) After the visitation of wind and tongues of fire resting on the 120 disciples in the Upper Room, Peter began to preach to the crowd that had gathered for the celebration of the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. They fell under conviction of the Holy Spirit at the preaching of the Gospel and asked Peter what to do. He gave them the simple command to repent and then to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. He encouraged them to receive the gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit, Who was available to everyone! About three thousand responded in faith!
Acts 2:46-47 “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their home, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit and adoption into Your forever family. I thank You that this promise is all-inclusive and for all nations and peoples. Thank You that it is by grace through faith as we repent and believe. I am full of gratitude and want to give away Your gift to all You send me to. Day by day, add to Your Church those who are being saved! Not my will, but Yours be done!
Judges 21:25 “In those days thee was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Witnesses of Jesus equipped with power!
Scripture reading for April 14th: Judges 17-18, Psalm 21, Acts 1
Acts 1: 7-11 “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Jesus, the Risen King, had a last Word for His disciples before leaving them through supernatural ascension into heaven on a cloud of glory! This Word was an encouragement to these disciples not to fret about the times and seasons of God’s world-wide agenda. Their main focus was to witness to all the world the Good News of God’s love and grace through Jesus Christ. As Jesus reiterated His instructions, He was taken up to heaven in a cloud and two men in white robes confirmed that Jesus would be returning at some time in the future in the same way as He left them. Jesus was their King and they now must live in loving obedience to His commands.
Psalm 21:4-6 “He asked life of You; You gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of Your presence.”
Prayer: Father God, I am grateful to have a King Who is so loving and kind and caring for all the people of the world. I receive His command to be filled with power to be His witness in my home town and this region and to the ends of the earth. You have given me life eternal through salvation and given me the Holy Spirit, Your presence within me as I journey through this wilderness to my eternal home.
Judges 17:5-6 “And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Clothed with power and compassion!
Scripture reading for April 13th: Judges 12-16, Psalm 146, Luke 24
Luke 24: 45-51 “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Although the disciples had walked with Jesus for three years, they still needed Jesus to open their minds to understand the Scriptures. The fact of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for the sins of the world was the call for men everywhere to repent had been hidden from them. The would also need God’s clothing to accomplish this mission of preaching and being a witnesses to all nations. The Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father would be sent at the appointed time. The Father’s heart of love and compassion would cover them like clothing and empower them to defeat spiritual foes and set captives free!
Psalm 146:8-9 “The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners; He upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for opening my mind to understand the Scriptures. It is an ongoing revelation of Your grace and glory that empowers me to share the Good News in Word and deed to the lost, widow, orphan, and sojourners. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and love to do spiritual exploits and bring Good News to the lost.
Judges 15:14-15 “When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that has caught fire, and his bonds melted off of his hands. And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it and with it he struck 1,000 men.”
Extravagant mercy for the asking!
Scripture reading for April 12th: Judges 9-11, Psalm 17, Luke 23
Luke 23:39-43 “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””
Jesus was crucified, an innocent man, to pay for the sins of all mankind. On His right and left, were two guilty criminals receiving what was due them under Roman law. As they hung there knowing death was immanent, one of the criminals mocked Jesus, ridiculing His claim to be Christ. The other criminal simply called out to Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom, indicating that he believed Jesus was a king and would be receiving a kingdom. Jesus gave an amazing response: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” This response gives hope to all lost sinners. If we will come in faith believing in Jesus, He will give mercy in abundance, just for the asking!
Psalm 17:1-2 “Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From Your presence let my vindication come! Let Your eyes behold the right.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your abundant mercy. We can trust You to forgive, heal, and deliver if we simply ask. You have done everything necessary for our salvation. Help me to simply ask and rest in Your provision and trust You to do whatever seems good to You. Open doors to share this simple truth and good news with those under the sentence of death.
Judges 10:13-16 “Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.” And the people of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to You. Only please deliver us this day.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and He became impatient over the misery of Israel.”
You will lack nothing!
Scripture reading for April 11th: Judges 7-8, Luke 22
Luke 22: 35-38 “And He said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me has its fulfilment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.””
Jesus was always aware of Scripture that must be fulfilled. He knew the concerns of His disciples about their own welfare and how they might care for themselves. He challenged them to remember being sent out without any visible support to minister and how they had lacked nothing! God had cared for them! It would be no different now. However, Jesus allowed them to take a moneybag and knapsack this time. But why does Jesus tell them to sell their cloak to buy a sword? I believe Jesus was thinking of the Scripture being fulfilled concerning being ‘numbered with the transgressors.’ It was not that they would have to use the sword, but that they would look the part of ‘transgressors.’ Later, at the arrest in the Garden, Jesus rebuked Peter for using the sword and healed the man whose ear had been cut off!
Luke 22:48-51 “. .but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around Him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!” And He touched his ear and healed him.””
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that Your Presence with us is sufficient for every need we will face as we walk through the trials and tests of this journey. Thank You for Your amazing provision and empowerment by the Holy Spirit, the ‘torch in our jar!’ Empower me to ‘blow the trumpet’ of the Gospel to announce Your victory over death, hell, sin and the grave! The only ‘sword’ I need is Your Word!
Judges 7:16-18 “And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.'”
Look up–don’t fear the shaking!
Scripture reading for April 8th: Judges 4-6, Luke 21
Luke 21:25-28 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Jesus taught His disciples plainly about the coming of the Son of Man to earth at the end of time. The earth will be filled with signs in the heavens and great distress among the peoples. Fear and confusion will reign among the earth’s inhabitants. Jesus warned His followers to guard their hearts against the fear and resulting worldly use of alcohol and drugs and materialism that lost people use as distractions. Believers are to stay awake and alert and pray for strength to endure and overcome. Jesus is coming! Lift up your heads in joyful expectation! You will stand before the Son of Man!
Luke 21:34-36 “”But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing Your plans for the future through Jesus Christ and the prophets of old. Thank You that Your Word is true and gives us encouragement and hope. Prompt me by Your Holy Spirit to stay awake and guard my heart during these last trying times and lead me in true holiness that I may stand before the Son of Man, Jesus Christ my Lord.
Judges 5:4-5 “”Lord, when You went out from Seir, when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes the clouds dropped water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, even Sinai before the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Setting a trap!
Scripture reading for April 7th: Judges 1-3, Psalm 16, Luke 20
Luke 20: 19-25 “The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched Him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch Him in something He said, so as to deliver Him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked Him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.””
The scribes and chief priests thought that they were the very picture of righteousness. Their pride in their knowledge of Scripture and position of authority caused them to be puffed up. They viewed Jesus as a threat to their power and position and felt they must do something to expose Him and do away with Him. Notice that they ‘feared the people.’ The fear of man is a snare. (Proverbs 29:25) The people loved Jesus and were following Him and listening to His teachings. They sent spies, who ‘pretended to be sincere.’ They were bent on trapping Jesus in some act of rebellion against the government. They questioned Jesus about giving tribute to Caesar. Jesus in turn asked them a question–who’s inscription was on the coin? As they answered, Jesus told them to render to Caesar the things that were his, and to God likewise! Jesus answered with wisdom and avoided their trap.
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Prayer: Father, Thank You for making known to me the path of life, in Jesus Christ our Lord. I give to God praise, honor and worship as well as my body as a living sacrifice. Keep me from the fear of man and from pretense and deception. Open my ears to Your truth and prompt me to obedience through the Holy Spirit. Help me to pass each test of my devotion and love for Jesus through faith and grace!
Judges 2:21-23 “I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.” So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua.”
Repent and be baptized!
Scripture reading for April 15th: Judges 19-21, Acts 2
Key Scriptures: Acts 2:36-39 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.””
Peter, after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, preached to a crowd gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. He declared Jesus Christ as Lord and Christ. Those who heard him were convicted and asked what they could do. Peter gave clear instructions: “Repent and be baptized.” He also instructed them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was for all who believed in Jesus and repented of sins, even Gentiles! This was prophetic preaching and three thousand were saved and baptized that day. Doing what was right in God’s eyes brought salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, You alone are my King, Lord, and Christ! Help me today to share this good news in the power of the Holy Spirit. I trust You to bring conviction and draw people to Christ Jesus. I know obedience to the Gospel brings salvation and eternal life.
Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Obeying our King!
Scripture reading for April 14th: Judges 17-18, Psalm 21, Acts 1
Key Scriptures: Acts 1:4-8 “And while staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which He said, “you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus was always teaching His disciples, preparing them to take over the vision He had given them from the Father to reach the whole world through preaching and making disciples. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared a final time to instruct them to wait for the Promise of the Father–the Blessed Holy Spirit. They were looking for the full restoration of the kingdom but Jesus told them that was not their concern. They would need the power given by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Faith Confession and prayer: My King, fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit today! I know You will come again, but I want to be about Your vision of reaching my Jerusalem and even the ends of the earth.
Judges 17:10 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Psalm 21:13 “Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength! We will sing and praise Your power.”
Hearts on fire!
Scripture reading for April 13th: Judges 12-16, Psalm 146, Luke 24
Key Scriptures: Luke 24:30-33 “When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.
After His resurrection, Jesus sought out His disciples to reassure them of His resurrection and the fulfillment of Scripture. He joined up with two of them on their way to Emmaus. Jesus joined in their conversation about the events of their past few days. As they explained their difficulty understanding the women who had visited the grave of Jesus and found it empty, Jesus gently rebuked them for their unbelief and expounded the Scriptures concerning Himself. He then joined them for supper and took the bread and blessed, broke and gave it to them. This opened their eyes to recognize Jesus and they remembered how their hearts burned as He opened the Word of God.
Faith Confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the Holy Spirit, who opens the Scriptures to me each day as I read and walk with You. Set my heart on fire with Your love, mercy and truth.
Judges 13:20 “And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground.”
Psalm 146:10 “The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!”