Judges 4:1(KJV)
Again, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead.
For many years, the Israelites had peace under the influence and guidance of a good ruler. However, as soon as this ruler died, they began to return to their old ways, indulging their every desire without restraint. These men and women were so absorbed in their foolishness that they were blindsided by the coup that brought on their captivity. Their conqueror was a strong one; he ruled them harshly, with no compassion, and only then did they cry out to God for deliverance.
As we look at our own personal journeys, we can see (if we are honest) that the only times we seek God or even listen to his counsel are when we are in trouble. When things are going pretty well in our lives, we don’t tend to take our indulgent, destructive ways seriously or recognize the fallout that can come from our behavior. We may be aware of some issues in our lives that we need to address, but it’s easier to kick the can down the road. Nevertheless, sooner or later a storm will arise in the sea of life, and it will be one of our own making. Whether we experience sickness, trouble on the job, or relationship problems, we must sleep in the bed we make.
Why not go to God now, and ask him to deliver you from some of your destructive ways? If you don’t, sooner or later you’ll find yourself crying to him in the storm and asking for deliverance when you could have allowed him to address your issues during times of peace. If you turn to Him now, you might stave off an approaching storm altogether. The choice is yours; may God give the courage to choose wisely.
