Together We Can Stand

[S] Judges 21:24-25 --
24  The sons of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family, and each one of them went out from there to his inheritance.  25  In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

[O] The people from eleven tribes of Israel joined forces to remove corruption within the House of God's people even if it meant going up against their own brothers from Benjamin.  It was a painful process where they sought the Lord's guidance repeatedly to make sure they are not doing this out of their justification and/or anger.  As verse 25 mentions, in those days there was no leader to rule the land which resulted in wide-spread of corruption; that is when God's people came together to deal with the situation at hand.  As I envision the "sons of Israel departing" (verse 24), I see a wonderful picture of the brothers shaking hands, giving each other hugs as they reaffirm their unity of hearts for the purposes of God's ministry.

[A] The era I live in now is not much different from the time of this passage where everyone is doing what is right in his own eyes and that makes it more challenging to stand up for God's values; but I'm encouraged that by standing together with other believers in Jesus Christ, we can uphold His values.  Through the small group ministry at our church I am praying that God would grant such a community of believers.

[P] Dear Father, please continue to build up Your people who will come together like the eleven tribes of Israel in the midst of our church.  We are fighting a good battle and we rely totally on You to lead us into victory as we continue to strive unity of our hearts denouncing all the schemes from our enemy.  In Your name.  Amen.