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That little word “if” rises again and again to question the obedience and disobedience of those who strive to remain faithful to God and their Savior.

Even unto the time after Jesus came to earth, along with the Holy Spirit Who came to earth to strengthen those called out of sin and condemnation. That little word “if” places a conditional requirement on all humanity. Even those who are called and chosen for salvation.

It can be said that all of humanity’s difficulties in living and existing can be summed up in one verse in the Bible. This verse is situated in an Old Testament book that is probably one of the least read in all the Bible. Perhaps because, if we will read the entire book, one becomes almost depressed at the almost complete abandonment of God by Israel.

But God allowed the tribes of Israel to become scattered, going off into Idolatry - a idolatry of almost endless variations. This occurred over many years, so slowly as to seen imperceptible. It became easier and easier to forget that God watches and knows every neglect, every thought, every action that each Israelite was exercising. The more ease and prosperity the tribes experienced, the more they entertained their inclination to depart from the true God in who delivered them over and over from their enemies.

Eventually, they began to trust in their own freedom as license to live as they pleased, according to their human nature. This was one of the first steps into idolatry and the forgetting of One who had given them so much…victory over their enemies, prosperity - and eventually peace - in a land of milk and honey.

What lesson is their experience to you and me?

Several hundred years earlier, the tribes of Israel were rejoicing and basking in the fruit of God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt. And couched silently in the same scripture is the solution to humanity’s problems: Notice this verse, in particular the last part that would seem to be an afterthought:

“Now the man Micah had a house of gods (shrine), and he made an ephod and teraphim and dedicated and installed one of his sons, who became his [personal] priest. In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:5-6)

Israel had proven that left to themselves to rely on, they did, indeed could not remain faithful to the One who delivered them from slavery. From that time, and long before as recorded from Genesis down through the centuries, even until now, human beings will not (cannot?) be faithful to God.

What lesson is in their experience to you and me?

One that seems prevalent in America today is the blessing of prosperity. Prosperity was with Israel, and rampant in the world today, and has evolved into an anything goes mentality. If I prospered a little with living in a little sin, then much prosperity will occur if I forget about this thing called “sin”, and focus on prosperity.

Given enough time, this mindset will destroy any country, nation, and - any individual. Eventually, it seems so easy not to believe anymore. Not to pray…not to be thankful…not to continue striving to live as Jesus strives in them to draw close to Him…not be believe anymore that there is a God and His Son who died for them, and yet, still loves them. Eventually, it becomes easy to live as we please. It has become easier not to believe. Just do as we please.

The book of Judges paints a panoramic view of those who fall away while living in the middle of prosperity and safety. The book of Hebrews warns every believing human being: There is in the Bible a warning written for all professing Christians, and by extension, all of the world:

“Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart] that turns away from the living God. But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end.” Hebrews 12:13-14 (AMP)

The word “heart” includes the entire human personality—mind, will, and emotions. The core of one’s being where there is no pretense.

For every professing believer, there is one final warning experienced by those of the past:

“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 17:6

Are we also in "those days" today? Are you and I?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Washed by the Water of the Word