Consider Yourself First

Verse of the day: Judges 20:18, 26 Then the children of Israel arose and went up to the house of God to inquire of God. They said, “Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?” The LORD said, “Judah first!” 26 Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, went up and came to the house of God and wept. They sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

How confusing it is to understand the events that are taking place as Israel attempts to correct and eradicate the evil that has been committed by the children of Benjamin. In verse 18 they took the proper step of going to the Lord for guidance, yet they experienced great defeat upon following God’s command. However, there are some things that need to be considered as to why they experienced such defeat, and compare their first approach to the Lord with the second. We see that even though they went to God for guidance, it appears that they were still relying on the strength of their numbers to be what gave them victory over the children of Benjamin. Psalm 20:7 reminds us, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” Isaiah 31:1 warns, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” Another thing that needs to be considered here is that even though they were quick to respond in their attempt to eradicate the evil that was committed, they failed to consider their own wickedness. The children of Israel were just as idolatrous as the children of Benjamin, and failed to see their own sinfulness before trying to “correct” the sinfulness of the Benjamites. We briefly addressed this in the previous devotional, but I will reiterate it here again, Galatians 6 is to be seriously considered when we are in a position to deal with someone who has sinned against the Lord. Galatians 6:1-3 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Far too often I have seen those who forget their own sinfulness try and “correct” others, only to cause further damage and actually push people away from the Lord, rather than help them be reconciled and draw near to the Lord. God warns that if we do not first consider ourselves and approach the sinning party with humility and gentleness, realizing that we are no better, then we set ourselves up to be tempted also. It was only after their devastating defeat that the children of Israel then approach the Lord weeping, fasting, and bringing Him proper offerings. Time and time again we Christians, even Christian leaders, forget that we too are sinners and sin with our words, deeds, and attitudes, often, but then take a mean-spirited approach in the way we rebuke, rather than rebuking in love, and call it righteous indignation. More often than not, it is nothing more than our own self-righteous attitude. We forget the important verses, such as James 1:19-20, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” We hear a matter, and without knowing all the facts, respond in “righteous anger” because the person sinned against God, someone we know, or us personally, and later find out, if we are willing to admit it, that we were wrong and that our attitude and approach did more to push the sinning party away from God, rather than doing what God desired for us to do in helping that person be reconciled to God and back in fellowship with his/her local church family. This is not a plea to be soft on sin or overlook sinful behavior. It is a plea to stop and consider who we are and how often God has to forgive us for our daily sins against Him, before we take a prideful and self-righteous approach in dealing with another who has sinned. Jesus died for all of us and we all inherited salvation the same way; not by our own righteousness or good work, but by God’s grace and by putting our faith and trust in Him. We did nothing to earn it, as we are told in Titus 3:5-7, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).