(Judges 17:6 ESV) 6 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
God created mankind with an innate desire for independence. God’s design was meant for good; to motivate us to labor and have a fruitful life; to grow us up and move us on to maturity. On the other hand, when sin entered into the equation, this desire for independence turned into rebellion. And, rebellion is always contrary to godly obedience.
In Judges 17, we are told of a time when the people of Israel had no king. The absence of national leadership caused the people to self-regulate; to determine what they wanted, what was best in their eyes, at the expense of anyone else. “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” described an attitude and lifestyle that was driven by the whim of the moment without regard for how their future might be affected.
I grew up in the age of rock-n-roll. The genre was borne out of a rebellious mindset that preached a lifestyle of absolute freedom from any type of structure. Rules be gone!
Looking back now, it seems so benign compared to the raucous lyrics found in so many modern genres of music. Television programs and contemporary movies herald a message of “do what you want, when you want, where ever you want, with whomever you want!” The mantra of the day is not only, “If it feels good do it,” but also, “don’t you dare oppose my right to live anyway I see fit.”
In recent years, our society has adopted the same mentality of ancient Israel. A blatant disregard for the structure established by our Creator has us in a precarious position once again. As has always been the case, self-regulation always leads away from God’s holiness, rather than closer to Him.
I’m not trying to be negative; a holier-than-thou mindset is not present in my thinking or writing. With that said, a casual reading of Scripture reveals patterns of divine discipline for those who consistently reject God’s commands.
I’m afraid we are in for some difficult days here in America unless we return to God. We need a revival. No, I’m not talking about a series of church services where we Christians get together to dance, scream, shout, and spit. But, a return to walking in step with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit every day of our lives. Remember, His pattern of living is what will produce the best results.
PRAYER: Father, help me to develop a desire to follow the godly structure that produces eternal life. For Your glory! Amen.
Thinking Out Loud 