His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel

Bible Reading: Judges 10-12

Judges 10:16 And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

God is longsuffering. He has incredible patience with his people. We wants us to be wholly committed to him, heart and soul. He knows that we are frail and like sheep in need of a Shepherd. Praise God that he knows this and does not deal with us as our sins deserve, but he deals with us in kindness and mercy.

During the time of the Judges in Israel, the people once again began to worship the false gods of the inhabitants of the land of Canaan.

Judges 10:6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.

This displeased the Lord greatly and he delivered the children of Israel into the hands of the Philistines and the children of Ammon. They invaded Israel and plundered them. Finally, Israel began to cry out to God for deliverance.

Judges 10:10-14 And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim. 11 And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? 12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. 13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. 14 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.

Wow! God said if you want to worship those gods, then cry to them for deliverance. However, Israel continued to cry out to God and they confessed their sin.

Judges 10:15 And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

God saw their desire to return to him and their genuine confession. He heard their cry and sent them deliverance. It is truly amazing that God is so merciful and gracious. He is loving and kind. He hears our cry and forgives our sin. When we are unfaithful and sin against him, he promises.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Why does he do this?

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

He forgives us because the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. Have you strayed from the Lord? Confess your sin to him and cry out to him. He will have compassion on you and he will forgive. He knows your misery and he is grieved because of it. He wants you to walk in victory!

In Christ,
Rody