The judges were twelve military leaders whom the Lord raised up in times of crisis. The Israelites were repeatedly in crisis because of their disobedience. They were blessed or cursed in direct relationship to their obedience or disobedience.

Therefore, repent. The Lord has called us to attack the gates of hell (Mt 16:18) and not merely endure a series of crises. You are a conqueror and not just a survivor. Repent! "Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of Hime Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37).

Key word    OBEDIENCE
 
Key verse    "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what he thought best." —21:25; see also 17:6
 
Command verse    "They did not listen to their judges, but abandoned themselves to the worship of other gods. They were quick to stray from the way their fathers had taken, and did not follow their example of obedience to the commandments of the Lord." —2:17
 
Promise verse    "The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, 'The Lord is with you, O champion!' " —6:12
 
Difficult verse    "Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. 'If You deliver the Ammonites into my power,' he said, 'whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites shall belong to the Lord. I shall offer him up as a holocaust.' " —11:30-31
 
Surprise verse    "The Lord said to Gideon, 'You have too many soldiers with you for Me to deliver Midian into their power, lest Israel vaunt itself against Me and say, "My own power brought me the victory." Now proclaim to all the soldiers, "If anyone is afraid or fearful, let him leave." ' " —7:2-3
 
Prayer: Father, may I not curse myself through disobedience.