Scripture

Judges 21:25 NLT

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

Consider

The phrase, “Israel had no king,” appears four times in the Book of Judges. Each time it is associated with a story of sin and destruction among people who had no moral compass outside themselves. In truth, God was Israel’s King, but they refused to acknowledge God’s authority over their lives.

We, too, have a King. And like Israel, we often resist our King’s authority and prefer to go our own way. Instead of seeking God’s heart, we seek out the wisdom of our culture, our peers, our political party, our media gurus. We make judgments based on our feelings or what sounds right or whatever ideologies the world presses upon us.

In his deep love for us, God has provided kingdom laws to guide our steps and keep us from following destructive paths. So many useless quarrels and painful conflicts could be avoided if we would only remember we are not without a King. Obedience to God’s rules of love and service to others provides our surest help for living upright lives and navigating relationships with grace, integrity, and a peaceful spirit.

Pray

My King and my God, I surrender my heart and my will to your gracious authority. Correct my confused notions of wisdom picked up from the world and show me the deep truths that surpass human understanding. Use my obedience to shine a light in my relationships and bring honor and glory to your Name.

Reflect

Deuteronomy 11:18-19; Proverbs 14:12

Ponder

When has doing what seemed right in my own eyes made a relationship problem even worse? What might God have required of me instead?