We continue our study with the Book of Judges by moving further into Chapter 2. We are following a six-week Bible Study by Katie M. Reid entitled, “God, What Do I do?” This study is based on the Book of Judges, Chapters 1-5, and we are digging into what these lessons teach us about making wise decisions in uncertain times.
Today, we are studying Judges 2:20-23 and our focus is, “God, What Do I Do When Life Feels Heavy?”
This lesson must be for me, today, because recently life has felt heavy. I still hold onto my joy, even if it is released with a flow of tears. I (we) certainly need God to intervene when life tries to crush our spirits. We need God’s help and in Him we must place our hope. Our purpose is to remain faithful to the covenant we made with God (Deuteronomy 7:7-16, Psalm 103:13-18, Hebrews 8:6-13).
Therefore, I cling to Jesus’ promise,“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Believers are partners with Christ, so He will provide everything we need to move forward. We simply need to draw near to Jesus and receive the rest He gives.
God is holy and He is no respecter of persons. If ever there was One who treats people with equity it is God. He gives everyone what they individually need to succeed, acknowledging that people start from different places. Israel was treated with equity, but time and time again the people were unfaithful to the covenant they made with God. They refused to let the Lord lead them into His rest. And, God became angry.
Judges 2:20-23 NLT 20 So the Lord burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, 21 I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. 22 I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the Lord as their ancestors did.” 23 That is why the Lord left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all.
When life feels heavy, chances are God is preparing, training, and strengthening us to handle the future according to His plan. He knows what will grow our faith; what will equip us for the next leg of our journey. We need to move with God and following His instruction as we listen to the Holy Spirit.
Timothy reminds us to endure trials with joy, because it is a testing of our faith that produces maturity (James 1:2-4). So, may God help us see any heaviness as a gift for our faith, because we cannot fight from a place of victory in Christ until we are sufficiently equipped. “Each task, each trial, each decision faced is training for your future reigning with Christ the King of kings” (What do I do? Reid pg. 116). A strong faith is a supernatural GIFT!
James 1:2-4
The testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be complete, lacking nothing.
Truth: When life feels heavy, decide to be a responsible Christ-follower who reads, accepts, and applies what they learn from God’s Word.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding us to stay the course when we are called to endure. Even when things are heavy, we remember You carried the cross of death—our heaviest load. Thank You for uplifting our souls, so we are not crushed. Please increase our capacity to love. Fill us with the Spirit and help us remain on the path toward victory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.