Key Verse: Judges 5:3
Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes!
I, even I, will sing to the Lord;
I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

Yesterday we read of a hit from a hammer on a tent peg; today it’s a hit song that I’m sure became #1 with the Children of Israel. Another generation learned through this song. They learned that those who love the Lord will be “Like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” The result was 40 more years of faithfulness to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Joshua and Deborah. We have great advantages in knowing God in our time. Back then they had the scrolls of the first books of the Bible, but very few of these children of ex-slaves could read. The synagogue movement where the Scriptures are taught by the Rabbi was still to come 1,000 years later. The people would gather for a message from their spiritual and temporal leader only once a year. No wonder they wandered far from God. The influences from the Canaanite culture were strong, and unless each family had daily prayer and the recitation of God’s stories, they were easily overcome by the evil around them.

What is our excuse when the prevailing culture overcomes any godly influence we may have on our children and grandchildren? Just think of the helps to godliness we have which the second and third generations of Israelites did not have. When we consider our struggles today, perhaps we should not judge those people too harshly.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
[As you pray today, think of the ways your life is enriched through your local Body of Believers. We are a blessed people.]

Lord God, I have a great local congregation. I have Sunday services, weekly prayer meetings and Bible studies. I read my Bible every day and watch 100 Huntley Street on TV daily. Help me to be consistent in my personal prayer life, oh Lord. Compared to the Israelites in Deborah’s day, I have absolutely no excuse for ever drifting away from You. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Compared to the early Israelites, I have so much to be thankful for when I consider the spiritual input I had as a child. We prayed on our knees three times a day as a family, plus “Now I lay me down to sleep” at bed time. My Dad, Rev. Dr. Roy Lake Mainse, served as a missionary, a pastor, and a college president. During his years as an educator, he approved of my Sunday schedule…10 a.m. Sunday School at our own church, 2 p.m. at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and then 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church almost across the street. For some reason, I loved every minute. Okay, there were other reasons. I was not allowed to play ball with my friends on Sunday afternoon, and I also got to play in the Salvation Army band. If I can find a picture of my Dad, I’ll attach it below. Just look at him. He was “Authority” in my eyes. I’m ever so thankful. My mother passed away when I was 12, and my Dad and I grew so very close. He’d be 120 if he were still alive here on earth. In case they read this in Heaven, I love you Dad and Mom, and I’ll see you soon!

Yours because of all the blessings we’ve received from generations past, including the generation of Judge Deborah,

David