My family used to vacation in small mountain towns where we would move from shop to shop looking for souvenirs. Every year, without fail, my little sister asked if she could buy a lucky rabbit foot keychain dyed in the most delightful, little-girl colors. Every year the answer was the same. No.
In Judges 17 we meet Micah and his mother who had a complicated relationship living in a time without a king. Micah had stolen silver from his own mom, but fearful of his mother’s curses upon him, he confessed to stealing the silver. Together they agreed to make an idol out of it, introducing idolatry to their household. It was a direct revolt against God, “Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me” (Exodus 20:5).
In his own pride, Micah said, “Now I know that the LORD will be good to me” believing God would show him favor because Micah made his own son a priest over the idols (Judges 17:13). When a young Levite stumbled into Micah’s home and agreed to be Micah’s priest, Micah believed it was a blessing from God.
Although rubbing a lucky rabbit foot snuck may seem like a silly superstition, we all have habits, ideas, and identities that need to be pried from our hands by our God who loves us too much to let us bow to anything or anyone other than Him.
Exodus 20:6 promises that God will show “faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands,” and you and I now benefit from that very love. God fulfilled His promise in bringing us a Savior in Jesus who would carry every weight of our sin and shame and take away the need of a substance, person, or object to provide for us.
Thank you, God, for Your Word and for the book of Judges to remind us that we don’t need luck or good fortune when we have You. May we know, “we are God’s offspring, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination” (Acts 17:29). We have a King, it is You.
All Hail King Jesus.
I listened to the podcast while walking laps during “recess” today at preschool. It made me not want to read the last chapters of Judges. But, I was glad when Tony said that this time is chronologically the same time that Ruth is happening (which is our Bible lesson at preschool this week. Gods timing? I think so!) So, I’ll continue the struggle till the end. God would want me to. As KAREN V pointed out… it offers hope!
And happy (bittersweet) birthday today, TRACI GENDRON! <3 (I don’t know why typing emojis on my iPad don’t show… maybe as I don’t subscribe at this time?)
I listened to the podcast as well, thanks for the suggestion Brenda of only listening to the current day reading, it was very helpful and eye-opening of how we tend to do the same thing today! Highly recommend it!
Thank you for the comments.
@Traci- you remain in my thoughts and prayers as I know you miss Tanner all the time, but this coming week and time period is even harder. I can’t imagine your grief.
Thank you @Searching for asking about the movers bringing back my furniture and possessions that were part of the pack out from the flood! You are amazing at following up!
Yes, there were 110 boxes and furniture. At the end of the day, my Apple Watch showed over 9000 thankful steps! All the water exposed items are still in my garage that a representative is coming to go through on Wednesday. It has been a tedious process, and I’m grateful to be reorganizing and transitioning into using that part of my house again!
Thank you for your prayers. I am praying for all the requests of our sister She’s as well. ❤️
Hello, ladies..
Happy birthday for yesterday TAYLOR.. prayerful thst this year will be all you hope it to be..❤️
A. WALTON.. Praising God for His faithful provision..❤️
SEARCHING..❤️
TRACI GENDRON..Always, in my prayers dear friend.. it is well..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for today!❤️
And to all, Happy Monday my loves..❤️
Good morning sweet SRT sisters!
TAYLOR— Happy belated birthday! I hope you had a great day! Sorry you aren’t feeling well! Get better soon! ❤️
TRACI GENDRON—Happy birthday! I hope you have a great day! I know you miss Tanner terribly but pray that you find comfort in his complete healing. ❤️
CEE GEE and MOLLY R (and others who are sick)—I’m praying for your quick and complete healing! ❤️
I’m praying for all your requests! May God bless each one of you!
Sisters, please be sure to listen to today’s podcast. It presents these dark chapters in Judges in a way that enables us to understand what is going on, how to process our emotional responses to these events, and leaves us with hope. Super valuable.
TRACI GENDRON: Your strength is in grieving well. Don’t be afraid to grieve or think somehow it isn’t pleasing to God. Job gives us an example of grieving well Chapter 1 verse 20. He took his grief to God. He fell down at the feet of God with his grief. That is how we grieve well. We don’t push our feelings away, thinking that if we’re hurting we are somehow not trusting God. God expects us to grieve our losses. It shows how much we love. Take your grief to God and sit with Him in it. God will be there in the midst of your grief. And yes, Tanner received the ultimate healing by being with Jesus now in heaven. You can rejoice in that. Grief and joy can coexist. That’s the beauty of it.
This from Tiny Evans Study Bible (17:6) – “The people had completely forgotten that the Lord was to be their King. Instead, everyone followed his own standard, his own god.”
I love how the verse in Acts states emphatically: “because he has set a day when he is going to judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed.”
Micah’s appointment of a priest had no real footing and was a selfish appointment. Quite a contrast.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRACI GENDRON! Praying as you enter the dreaded week of remembrance that you will feel God’s Presence in a mighty way.❤ Hugs across the miles!
Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR! Praying you feel better soon!❤
SEARCHING – Your comment/reflection- so good – reminded me of the song, BREAK EVERY CHAIN. I am definitely a little better each day, but have a way to go. Thank you! ❤