“But the Israelites said, ‘We have sinned. Deal with us as you see fit; only rescue us today!’ So they got rid of the foreign gods among them and worshiped the Lord, and he became weary of Israel’s misery.” – Judges 10:15-16

How many times have you cried out to the Lord for rescue? Somehow, you’ve gotten yourself into a mess and now you need God to put things right again. In Judges chapter 10 the Israelites had done just that. They had turned away from God to worship idols and now they were paying the price. In v.15 you see the recognition of their sin and their cry to God. These are two vital components of a prayer for forgiveness and rescue. Most of us don’t have trouble with that aspect of a prayer for rescue…what we have trouble with is v.16; they got rid of their idols!

A cry to God for rescue requires repentance. “Repentance” simply means to turn around and head the other direction. If you have been far from God and found yourself in a state of misery, you may have admitted you were wrong, you may have asked for forgiveness, but have you gotten rid of your idols? Have you thrown out the things in your life that have led you to that dark place? The truth is, God does not want you to suffer – the end of v.16 says the Lord grew weary of their misery. He wants you to cry out for rescue. He wants you to ask for forgiveness. But none of that can take place unless you are willing to destroy the idols in your life. You must get rid of the things that have led you astray, and put God first.

Almighty God and Savior, please give us clarity to see the idols in our lives. Give us the strength and wisdom to throw them out. And give us a heart that longs to return to you. Teach us true repentance.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon