Title Who is used? /Judges 1:1-10
Content Hallelujah!! We give thanks, praise and glory to our Heavenly Father who has protected and guided us over the past three days. And I bless you in the name of the Lord that you may abound in grace and blessings abundantly both physically and spiritually on the saints who come to this holy place tonight and worship God Almighty. Hallelujah!!.
The world we live in is where people meet and form a community. So who meets whom is very important. So, the first time we meet, we need to meet well. This is because once we meet, and if a problem is discovered later, we have to pay a high price for it. So, each workplace that employs people reinforces the interview. So we hire people by testing how friendly and adaptable he is to this workplace and measuring how productive he is.
In our lives, we often see good things before we get married and go on a date. So, the person behind the decision is made by looking at the other person's family situation and living ability, by looking at their academic background or personality, by looking at their hobbies and living habits, and by looking here and there. I have read that the number one condition behind young men and women these days is appearance and the second is vitality. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in meeting people.
The same is true of workers who are used in God's providence. Then, by what standard will God use people? In the words God gives us tonight, some of the standards for the workers God uses are revealed.
1. You must make the decision to give your life.
In verse 1:1, after the death of Joshua, the children of Israel inquired of the LORD and said, "Who of us will go up first and fight the Canaanites? The word is recorded. This means that Joshua, the leader who has led Israel until now, is dead. The national leader who succeeded Moses and led Israel with great faith died in front of the important mission of conquering Canaan. It is like a parent who dies leaving only a child behind. However, at this point in time when Israel had to fight fiercely in the war of conquest of Canaan, Joshua died without raising a successor, causing greater despair and fear to Israel.
What is scarier than the corruption of a country is the lack of a leader who can lead the times. When there are no leaders, the community perishes. Israel is now standing at the crossroads of whether the nation will rise or fall.
There is no one who can go out for the war to be waged with the Canaanites right now, no matter where you look, and now you have to sit still and wait for the day you will die. So the Israelites went to God and wept and prayed.
After Joshua died, the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, "Who of us will go up first and fight the Canaanites?
We have to go to war, but we are ready to give up our lives and die and say, “I will go.” No one comes first. Not to mention, the Canaanites have an army of well-trained and majestic bodies, which have built high fortresses and are armed with all kinds of weapons. The war against them cannot be done without reprinting death. This is because, in the army, being a spearman or an advance troop is inevitably threatened with life to that extent. When families, churches, societies, or countries are in trouble, a community that has someone who sacrifices first and carries the armament is happy. I pray for this kind of family, this kind of church, this kind of country. Amen
At this time, God calls Judas. If you look at verse 2
(2) Judah shall go up, saith the LORD; behold! I have given this land into his hand.
In a situation where the nation is in crisis, God calls Judah to be in need. Judas immediately obeys and proceeds. Dear saints, Was it because Judas was unusually strong and courageous? Was it because he didn't know the fear of death? no. If you are at the forefront of a war, why don't you risk your life, your wife, or your children? However, because it is a command from God and a call from the Most High God, Judah does not hesitate and decides to go to the battlefield. Hallelujah!!!! In Judges 5:2, the life of such a saint is sung as a person who is willing to dedicate himself. A decision to give up one's life for God's work A decision to give materials for God's kingdom A decision to generously sacrifice one's talents before the Lord This is truly a fragrant offering and a gift that God will praise. Hallelujah!! 1 But more importantly, believe that those who die like this live, and those who give will receive abundantly. Hallelujah!!
2. People who cooperate are used.
Individual behavior or selfishness is unacceptable in the community because you are not alone. When we give up selfishness and cooperate with each other by taking our own losses, our society becomes more beautiful and powerful. This strength comes from cooperation and cooperation.
Geese are famous migratory birds that fly thousands of kilometers to move from place to place. But when they see them flying, they fly away in a line. According to the theory of zoologists, this flight consumes 71% less energy than flying alone, which is sufficient for long-distance flight. The reason is that when the geese going in front flap their wings, wind is generated, and this force continuously helps the geese following the flight. Even the wild geese, which are animals, know cooperation and cooperation, when we think of the lowly selfishness of human beings who claim to be the lord of all things, we feel ashamed. Returning to the text, Judas, who was called by God, is asking Simeon for help.
(3) And Judah said to his brother Simeon, "Go up with me to the land that I have lottered, and fight the Canaanites, and I will also go with you into the land that I have shared with you." So Simeon went with him.
It's difficult, so if you help me, I'll help you too. In fact, out of the 12 tribes of Israel, Simeon was the weakest tribe. Nevertheless, it is the fact that Judah is asking for help from Simeon, a weak tribe. However, Simeon does not make excuses for his weakness and is willing to take risks. Their union was a beautiful union in the sight of God. Wherever the evidence goes, it wins a difficult battle that cannot be won. Cooperation and cooperation are the keys that open the way of power before God. I pray that you will become a church member who cooperates and cooperates in difficult times and bigger things ahead.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 One will be defeated, but two will be able to overcome it; a threefold cord is not easily broken.”
Romans 15:30 Brethren, I beseech you through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Holy Spirit, join forces with me in your prayers and pray to God for me."
A community that is united in prayer and strongly united wins. Hallelujah!!!!
3. A person who acts.
Actions speak louder than words. A person who only puts words first in a certain situation cannot do anything. Rather, it becomes an obstacle. You must make a decision immediately. You must act immediately. A man who thinks, calculates, and muses never achieves great things. As Abraham immediately offered Isaac, Moses immediately stretched out his staff toward the Red Sea, Joshua immediately crossed the Jordan, David immediately risked his life before Goliath. I hope you believe that you are here. Let's pray.