Title: Focus More on God
Judges (1) Focus more on God (Judges 1:1-2)
< Opportunities in the transition period >
A person has several transitions. In transition, there is hope, but there is more anxiety. And in transition, people learn the most. The fortress is an era in which even the country is bankrupt. Korea was also on the verge of bankruptcy during the IMF.
Why is the economic crisis coming? This is because there is a slogan “Live a good life!” but there is no reflection on “How are you living well?”. So, while you say, “Have a good life!”, pay attention to “How will you live?” and focus not only on the goal of success in front of you, but also on the big goal of your entire life. Even in a period of rapid change, if there is a person with the right faith, that period of change becomes an opportunity. After all, one trained disciple really matters.
If you go to Guilin, China, there is a trained fishing bird called the cormorant. This one bird catches enough fish to feed a family of two or three. That's why one bird is more expensive than one bull. An untrained wild cormorant, on the other hand, doesn't even pay for a goose. There is a huge difference in value between a trained and dedicated person like that and a person without training and dedication. So, be a worthy person who knows how to make a dedication.
In verse 1 of the text, we see the scene where Joshua, the hero of the conquest of Canaan, dies. People sometimes ask, "What if the hero dies?" and I'm worried. However, even if the hero disappears, God's work does not stop. If Joshua dies, Israel will be destroyed, but what attitude you take at that time is important. If Joshua died, he said, “Now let me be Joshua! Now, let me devote myself!” Rather, a crisis becomes an opportunity.
< Focus more on God >
The death of Joshua, the hero of the Conquest War of Canaan, means that Israel is entering a transitional period and there is a vacuum in its leadership. The leadership gap is the most destructive thing in community life, as it breaks order and harmony and makes people only look for their own bowl of food.
What was the first thing the Israelites did when Joshua's death left a void in their leadership? I asked the Lord (v. 1). In the transition period, more than ever, we need to seek God's will. That is why worship and prayer are so important. During the transition period, the problem becomes large. If you cling to the problem then, you will fall into the problem even more. In that case, turn your attention away from the problem and focus more on God. Then the problem will be solved by itself.
One day, a saint went to a prayer center to clear his mind. However, while praying at the prayer center, the image that came to mind was a pretty woman I saw at a rest stop on the highway. Then I felt guilty and prayed. "God! Make that face disappear from my heart.” The more he prayed, the more his face became more pleasing to the eye. But at some point, he said, “Because you’re human, you can have that kind of feeling.” And when I accepted it, that face disappeared and I was able to focus on prayer.
When you cling to a problem, it feels bigger. However, if you think that there may be a problem because you are a fragile human being and ignore it and seek God's will, the problem will wear out and fall off by itself. So sometimes get away from trouble. The Earth looks round when viewed from a distance and looks beautiful despite the numerous problems within it. If you look at it from such a distance, you can see the truth and solutions, and sometimes even problems look beautiful.
Deliberately fall away with problems. Stretch out your clenched hands, and sometimes even your loved ones, don't try to hold them tight, let them go. If necessary, leave your spouse and children as well. If you give up and let go of human attachments and quietly build a spiritual fence with love and prayer, God will come to your heart and give you ultimate comfort and peace, and you will receive more love and attention from your spouse and children.
Some people drink a cup of coffee whenever they have a problem and savor the aroma of coffee, saying, “There can be problems like that in life. There are problems like that anytime, anywhere.” How good is that? However, the saints have a better scent of worship and prayer than the scent of coffee. If you get away from problems like that and focus more on God through worship and prayer, God will give you the strength to overcome any difficulties in the transition period.