Love Conquers All

"So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress." Judges 2:14-15

Love does what's in the best interest of another. Even in His anger, the Lord did what was best for the people who had defamed His glory. 

Do you have an example of someone hurting you and you absorbed and did what was in their best interest? 

God doesn't do the best for us because we deserve it or because we are just such an awesome person. He does what is best for us because it is a showcase for His glory, an opportunity to show what His heart and character are like. And really, it would be idolatry if He ruled as though we were the center of the universe, as though we were the most important rather than Himself.

He does what is best for us to show us how great He is, how huge His love is.  Hebrews 12:5-11 compares earthly fathers who discipline their children because they love them with our Father God, who disciplines us, even allowing our enemies to overtake us because He loves us. He is willing to go through the pain with us in order to return us. 

God does the hard thing. He doesn't cater to fleshly desires. How deep the Father's love for us and for the truthful display of His character that He wont let us remain in disobedience. 

The Lord is so loving that He wont let us remain as we are. In His kindness, He will lead us to repentance. But how much great to turn to the Lord moment by moment and not take the route of the downward spiral leading to the place where the enemies overtake!

What does repentance look like in your practically daily life?

Love is unselfishly choosing to do what's in the best interest of another. Who in your life has God called you to love (but you don't quite feel like it, or perhaps they don't "deserve" it)? What would it practically look like to do what's in their best interest?

I hope the Glimpse of Glory in Judges Series; A Bible study devotional through the book of Judges, has been a blessing to you so far. And I hope you will come by each weekday to get a glimpse of God's heart and character from the book of Judges. 

Chapter One
{Day One} Delighting in God as the Know-er of All Things
{Day Two} Reliance 
{Day Three} Bigger Picture 
{Day Four} Prepare for Battle
{Day Five} No More 

Chapter 2
{Day Six} Revealer 
{Day Seven} The Lord's Anger

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Want to start the new year with a Bible study?

If you are looking for an in debth Bible study to do with a group in 2012, will you consider Beholding Him, Becoming Missional; Awakening to the Mission Through the Study of First Samuel? Or, perhaps it would make for a good Christmas present for a friend? 100% of my proceeds to Agape International Missions, that rescue, restore and bring the gospel to little girls being sold for sex. So, when you buy a study not only will you get to dig into God's Word and be challenged and encouraged, you are helping a super awesome ministry!

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