Living Set-Apart: Embracing God’s Deliverance through Surrender
Pastor Victoria Sowell
Today, we embark on a profound journey through the book of Judges about God’s continued faithfulness to generations that continued to turn away from Him. Although we have a history of thinking we know what’s best for us, and settling for less than God’s heart, God is a God that continues to make a way for deliverance and restoration. If you missed out on the live experience or simply want to revisit the message, click the link above to catch the full sermon.
Misunderstanding Chaos as Freedom
As parents, we understand the importance of setting boundaries and providing guidance to ensure the safety and freedom of our children. Most parents can chuckle about a story of providing markers and paper to a child, and discovering a wild exploration of walls and table space without the necessary oversight. Looking away for just a few seconds can result in a new wall-design and need for a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Similarly, God, our Heavenly Father, establishes boundaries not to restrict us, but to lead us into the fullness of His purpose and blessings.
Reflecting on the Patterns of Disobedience in Judges
In Judges 2:1-23, we witness the Israelites' struggle with boundaries and obedience. Despite God's covenant and warnings, they pursued their own desires, forsaking the Lord and falling into chaos and destruction. Their story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of submitting to God's authority in our lives. Judges comes at a time in the history of the Israelites where Israel was establishing itself as a nation. After the Exodus and the conquering of the promised land, Joshua led Israel into the place where God had been leading them. However, there was a lack of structure and submission to the plans God had for their lives.
Time and time again, they drifted from God's commands, succumbing to the allure of idolatry and worldly desires. Judges 2 explores exactly how an entire generation after Joshua walked away from God and did not know God or what He had done for the Israelites. Let's take a moment to reflect on a poignant passage from Judges 2:11-12 (NIV):
"Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt."
These words serve as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's truth and pursuing fleeting pleasures. The Israelites' disobedience led them into a downward spiral of spiritual decay, ultimately distancing them from the very source of their deliverance.
A People No Longer Set Apart
The tragedy of Judges lies in the Israelites' failure to remain set apart as God's chosen people. In their disobedience, they became indistinguishable from the nations around them, losing battles and falling into captivity. But God calls us to be a holy nation, set apart for His glory (1 Peter 2:9). When we submit to His lordship, our lives bear witness to His power and goodness.
Looking Differently than Those Around Us
As we read this book, one of the biggest questions to ask ourselves is the following: Do we look different than the people around us? The tragedy of Judges is that God’s people, who were set apart and rescued by God to be a nation that was sanctified, became indistinguishable from the people around them. When we look at how we live our lives amongst those who do not follow Jesus, are we different? Do our friends know who leads us? Do we look, sound, and act different? Are we set apart? When we submit ourselves to the the Authority and Lordship of God, our lives look different.
The Pattern of God's Deliverance
Despite the Israelites' repeated disobedience, God remained faithful to deliver them when they cried out to Him. In Judges 3:9-11, we see the pattern of deliverance: God hears their cry, raises up a deliverer, and grants them victory. This pattern culminates in the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ.
Jesus: The Ultimate Deliverer
Amidst the darkness of disobedience, a glimmer of hope emerges in the form of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Deliverer. Although the book of Judges can be viewed as a tragedy because time and time again, the Israelites resisted God’s guidance and deliverance, it sits as a preamble to the redemptive work of Christ. Through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness and freedom to all who believe in Him. Let's immerse ourselves in the profound truth of Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV):
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end."
Isaiah 9:6-7 prophesies the coming of Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. In Luke 4:16-21, Jesus declares Himself as the fulfillment of this prophecy, proclaiming freedom and salvation for all who believe in Him. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness and redemption to all who call upon His name.
In Jesus, we find true deliverance—a deliverance that transcends the temporal and ushers us into the eternal kingdom of God's love and grace. And when this happens, generations are given the opportunity to discover and follow Him as well.
Trusting in God's Deliverance
Proverbs 1:32-33 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:32-33 reminds us that complacency and turning away from God lead to destruction, but those who trust in Him will dwell securely. Trust is built through intimate relationship with God, cultivated in both the storms of life and the quiet moments of prayer and reflection. When we trust in God's deliverance, we find security and peace, even in the midst of chaos.
Reflecting on Our Journey
Let's pause to consider the state of our own hearts. Are we drifting towards disobedience, or are we anchored in the unchanging truth of God's Word? Let's allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate any areas of our lives that require surrender and restoration. As we conclude our journey through the profound truths of Judges, may we be inspired to embrace our need for deliverance and surrender our lives fully to the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Let's walk boldly in the freedom and victory that He alone provides!
Further Contemplation
For those hungry for deeper insights into the message of Judges and the theme of deliverance, consider delving into the following passages:
Judges 6:11-16 (NIV)
Judges 16:28-30 (NIV)
Judges 21:25 (NIV)
These scriptures offer additional layers of understanding and reflection on the timeless truths explored in Pastor Victoria's sermon.
Further Reading
For those eager to expand their spiritual horizons and delve deeper into the themes of deliverance and redemption, we invite you to explore the following resources:
Article: “Judges: We Need a King” by Peter Krol - https://www.knowableword.com/2020/07/24/judges-we-need-a-king/
Article: “The Gospel in Judges” by W. Brian Aucker - https://www.crossway.org/articles/the-gospel-in-judges/
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, "The Idol of Comfort,” on YouTube by Pastor Kyle Veach from View Church.
Dive deeper into your faith journey with our resources page at View Church for a curated selection of books, articles, and study guides.