16 But then Adonai raised up judges, who rescued them from the power of those who were plundering them. 17 Yet they did not pay attention to their judges, but made whores of themselves to other gods and worshipped them; they quickly turned away from the path on which their ancestors had walked, the way of obeying Adonai’s mitzvot — they failed to do this. 18 When Adonai raised up judges for them, Adonai was with the judge and delivered them from the hands of their enemies throughout the lifetime of the judge; for Adonai was moved to pity by their groaning under those oppressing and crushing them. 19 But after the judge died, they would relapse into worse behavior than that of their ancestors, following other gods to serve and worship them; they abandoned none of their practices or stubborn ways.
20th Week in Ordinary TimeIt was thus the Lord took pity on their distressful cries of affliction under their oppressors. (Judges 2:18)
Have you ever hesitated to go to Confession because you feel like you’ll just say the same things you confessed last time? Have you felt a bit discouraged because it seems you’re still struggling with a sin pattern that has been hard to get over? If so, just look at God’s relationship with Israel under the Judges.
God’s people seemed to have had trouble being faithful to him. Even when the Lord raised up judges to lead them and rescue them from their enemies, the people kept returning to the same patterns that separated them from God in the first place. Surrounded by temptation, they lost sight of God. But God didn’t give up on them. He kept sending them judges to protect and lead them, to save them from the consequences of their choices to abandon his ways. Moved by mercy, God sent them a new judge over and over and over again.
Now, these judges were precursors to Jesus. But none of them were perfect. Each had his own flaws, which could make it hard for God’s people to enter fully into the salvation that God was offering them. Think of Samson falling for the seductions of Delilah and losing his strength. Think of Jephthah’s rash vow, which led to his daughter’s death. Not one of the judges was the perfect answer. They all struggled with some kind of sin or weakness or failing—just as we do.
When you find yourself feeling hopeless and caught up in a struggle, take a moment to recall who Jesus is and what he has done. He is the perfect Savior and Judge, and he hasn’t given up on you. Even if you can’t see it, he is by your side, offering you his strength and his comfort. And if Christ is with you, you can be sure that you are making progress—even if it doesn’t look like it.
So don’t hesitate to go to Confession. God’s mercy won’t fail. He won’t give up on you! Jesus, your perfect Redeemer and Deliverer, is waiting for you, ready to lift the burden of guilt and give you more strength to turn away from sin.
“Lord, even when I feel defeated, I trust in your mercy and forgiveness. Strengthen me so that I can come to you in confidence and be reconciled.” Amen!
Psalm 106:34 They failed to destroy the peoples,
as Adonai had ordered them to do,
35 but mingled with the nations
and learned to follow their ways.
36 They went on to serve their idols,
which became a snare for them.
37 They even sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to demons.
39 Thus they were defiled by their deeds;
they prostituted themselves by their actions,
40 For this Adonai’s fury blazed up against his people,
and he detested his heritage.
43 Many times [God] rescued them,
but they kept making plans to rebel.
Thus they were brought low
by their own wrongdoing.
44 Still he took pity on their distress
whenever he heard their cry.
Matthew 19:16 A man approached Yeshua and said, “Rabbi, what good thing should I do in order to have eternal life?” He said to him, 17 “Why are you asking me about good? There is One who is good! But if you want to obtain eternal life, observe the mitzvot.” 18 The man asked him, “Which ones?” and Yeshua said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony [Matthew 19:18 Exodus 20:13(13–16); Deuteronomy 5:17(17–20)] 19 honor father and mother [Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16] and love your neighbor as yourself.”[Matthew 19:19 Leviticus 19:18] 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; where do I still fall short?” 21 Yeshua said to him, “If you are serious about reaching the goal, go and sell your possessions, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he was wealthy.
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