“So the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He had done for Israel. 8 Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old. 9 And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Heres, in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger.” Judges 2:7-12 NKJV
“16 Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” Judges 2:16 NKJV
Lord who judges,
It really looks bleak. Another generation who turn away from their parents faith and commitment. And even though their whole culture was bedded into worshipping You, the festivals the language, they chose to dismiss it all. Their history.And the other worship was probably more fun and less full of rules? But Your festivals were fun, community and sociable. Mankind has never stopped wanting that thing You tell us not to have anything to do with.
Nevertheless. What a word we have in the King James and the new King James Versions. Meaning: in spite of that, notwithstanding, all the same. I am not sure it is in the original Hebrew but even if the actual word is not there it is implied. Regardless of their behaviour, nevertheless You delivered them. Not fully but perhaps they had not learned their lesson, but you provided enough to ensure they would survive and continue.
Nevertheless, You still sent Jesus. Not to judge but to save (John 3:17). Not just to enable us to survive and continue. But to be saved and returned to that blissfully wonderful sinless state with hope and a future fulfilling what Jeremiah promised (29:11).
The Israelites are in for a troubled time but were never forsaken by You. You have never changed. Those who love You ad follow You will never be forsaken (Hebrews 13:5).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 12th March 2026
From the breaking of the dawn
To the setting of the sun,
I will stand on every promise of Your word.
Words of power, strong to save,
That will never pass away,
I will stand on every promise of Your word.
For Your covenant is sure,
And on this I am secure,
I can stand on every promise of Your word.
When I stumble and I sin,
Condemnation pressing in,
I will stand on every promise of Your word.
You are faithful to forgive,
That in freedom I might live,
So I stand on every promise of Your word.
Guilt to innocence restored:
You remember sins no more!
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
When I’m faced with anguished choice,
I will listen for Your voice,
And I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
Through this dark and troubled land
You will guide me with your hand
As I stand on every promise of Your word.
And you’ve promised to complete
Every work begun in me,
So I’ll stand on every promise of Your word.
Hope that lifts me from despair,
Love that casts out every fear,
As I stand on every promise of Your word.
Not forsaken, not alone,
For the Comforter has come,
And I stand on every promise of Your word.
Grace sufficient, grace for me,
Grace for all who will believe,
Lyrics: Keith Getty & Stuart Townend