Day 15 – Follow the Leader

“Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering.” Judges 2:18 (NLT)

Whilst in Egypt, Israel became a mighty nation and God sent Moses to lead them through the exodus. After Moses, God appointed Joshua to lead them into the Promised Land. And after Joshua’s death… no leader was appointed. Reading through Judges with all their disobedience and sins, I often wondered why God did not appoint another leader over all of Israel. Someone to keep them on the straight and narrow!

Taking an in-depth look at the circular pattern Israel followed, I realized that God wanted His beloved nation to follow the ultimate Leader – Himself. It’s the same in our spiritual lives too: we should grow into a spiritual maturity where we do not need a Moses or a Joshua to be the leader in our journey, but follow our Leader Jesus.

What is the strategy from this you might wonder? The enemy makes you doubt your ability to hear from God directly. Our dependence on someone else’s leadership results in us following them instead of Jesus, capturing us in the same circular pattern Israel found themselves: sin, repent, repeat.

God’s strategy is love. Pure, unconditional love! Whenever Israel cried out to Him, He gave them a judge to lead them back to His heart. Repeatedly. And throughout the whole history of Israel until “He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (NKJV) Friend, God loves you so much that He gave you Jesus to be your leader through anything you may face and through all the strategies the enemy plans.

It’s time to follow the Leader!

Prayer: Father, thank You for leading us through these devotionals and for teaching us no matter what strategy the enemy wants to use, You have already outplayed him. Jesus, lead us to follow close in Your footsteps and that You are our Leader. Amen.

Let us pray with you at prayer@womenoftheword.co.za