Judges 5:8

Alfred Shropshire    

"Then there was war in the land when the Israelites chose new gods."

This verse is from the Song that Deborah and Barak sang after defeating the Canaanites and bringing Israel "peace in the land for forty years." The song recounts the joy experienced in being God's people, given Israel's history of following God, the people becoming too "comfortable" in their surroundings, turning away from God, suffering at the hands of invaders, turning back to God, and being led to victory by Judges who follow God's leadership. Of course, the Israelites were facing physical enemies at the time described in the Book Of Judges.

Today, we may not face as many physical enemies as the Israelites did. But, we may follow the cycle of life they did and fall prey to a variety of things that make us feel as if we are in a daily battle with forces not under our control. I am sure that many of us have faced the time when we have chosen new gods over our Triune God. Everyone has "weak spots,'" and that is where the enemy attacks come. In many ways our societies have become expert in deluging us with things that may present opportunities to become new gods for us.

The Adult Bible Studies. Winter 2009-10. Lesson Six, January 10. 2010. says, "While we are alive, no matter how far along we are in the Christian life, we shall be subject to temptation [new gods]. If we are not tempted [by these new gods], we are not human. How we respond to the fact of temptation shows how, or if, we are "growing" in Christ."

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul wrote, 'No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing, he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."

When temptation does attack, or testing does occur, our first and greatest weapon is prayer. We should be strengthened by knowing that, here at Westminster Presbyterian Church through our Prayer Link Program someone is praying for you and your family daily.