THORNS & TEMPTATIONS
Today`s reading: Judges 1-6

``Since you have done this, I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.`` Judges 2:3 NLT

From the title of today`s blog, you may have thought I was about to review a new rock and roll band...I am not.

I was caught off guard by what God said to His people.

After He had delivered them from the hand of Pharoah.

After He had parted the Red Sea.

After He had rained down manna and poultry dinners.

After He had allowed them to see the clusters of grapes so large it took several men to carry.

After He had given them the land with the instruction to rid it of all its former inhabitants.

Which the chosen ones did not do...

...failed to drive out...1:19
...among the people...1:21
...failed to drive out the people...1:27
...work as slaves...1:28
...failed to drive out...1:29
...also failed to drive out...1:30
...also failed to drive out...1:31
...failed to drive out...1:33
...forced into the hill country...1:34

To fully claim and in turn maintain this Promised Land, they failed. God had given them the charge and gave them the inheritance--it was up to them to use God`s power to stake their claim. And yet they didn`t.

Nor do we.

We have thorns and temptations courtesy of all the things God has asked us to forsake in order to follow Him completely.

Things we think we can juggle along with godliness, like they were just balls of differing color.

Things that lead our focus off God, like shiny objects distracting a kitten.

Things that will eventually harm us, although we think we can handle them, think they are harmless, think of little consequence to our Christian walk.

Every one of us have bleeding scratches from the thorns and distracted hearts because of the temptations we see...all because we`ve not followed His leadings to the letter.

Isn`t it time, with His help, we do what He has asked and drive the enemy out of the ground God has blessed us with?