In Case of Emergency . . .

Read Judges 3:7–8:35

1. The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years.
2. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.
3. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel,
4. camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys.
5. These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare.
6. So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help. Judges 6:1-6

What provisions for emergencies have you made in your home? Syrup of ipecac, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, emergency phone numbers by the phone, a planned escape route in case of fire—do any of these sound familiar?

This time of the judges is full of emergencies and chaos, brought on by Eglon, king of Moab; Jabin, king of Canaan; the Midianites; and the ever annoying Philistines. Read this passage to see if the Israelites learn anything from all this chaos.

Don’t miss other lessons about God’s use of “handicaps”: leadership; when to take risks; finding courage; and some thoughts on jewelry.

The Israelites had a habit of hitting rock bottom and staying there, then trying to dig out of the hole by themselves. In one case, they endured twenty years of being oppressed by the Canaanites before crying to God for help (Judges 4:3). You would think one such emergency would teach them, but it didn’t. The formula the Israelites applied was this: When in deep trouble, call on God as a last resort.

God should be the first place we turn when we are facing struggles or dilemmas. How much suffering the Israelites could have avoided if they had turned to God right away!

We, too, often try to control our own lives without God’s help. When struggles come our way, God wants us to come to him first, seeking his strength and guidance.

Turn to God first for help each day, not as a last resort. Then turn to others for help as God directs. About what problem or struggle should you talk to God right now?