In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21:25 (NKJV)
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV)
LORD, what sobering words. As I complete reading the Book of Judges, that last verse speaks loads to my mind, which immediately went to Samson, the last named judge in the book, who judged Israel but was the only judge who did not deliver them. And from there it just continues to go downhill, from Micah establishing false worship, to Dan appropriating Micah’s idols as part of their tribe’s lifestyle, to the civil war against Benjamin, almost wiping out the tribe, specifically Gibeah, home of the future king, Saul.
And then, we are told: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Those words bookend the this slide, seen first in 17:6, and then closing out the book.
From the text, each of them thought they were doing the right thing: Samson was trying to judge his people but was caught up in his own self; Micah was trying to worship you but was doing it in his own way; the tribes of Israel were trying to honor You and hold Benjamin accountable, but were not really kingdom focused. Noble motives. Yet out of step with You. Not once do we hear that they inquire of You what they should do. Instead, they made the decision on what they were going to do and sought You to “co-sign.” How many times has that been me? How many times have I done what I thought was right, led by my twisted misconceptions of Your righteousness, only to fall dreadfully short?
Proverbs 14:12 rings so true to my spirit this morning. LORD, I pray for not just eyes that see but also a heart that is totally and completely receptive to what You would have me to do in all situations. It is my prayer that I would not be led by my feelings but instead by my convictions, moved, motivated and shaped by Your Spirit. I know that in and of myself I can’t get it right and won’t get it right. I need You, desperately, to lead and guide me in all of my decision making, great and small. I don’t want to do what is right in my eyes. I want to do what is right in YOUR eyes!
My heart rejoices today because I am not like those before me because I do have a King, one Who not only can and will lead me into all righteousness, but Who loves me with an everlasting love – King Jesus! As I look to You, my King, I know that You will lead me into Your perfect will for my life. Therefore, my soul cries out, “Lead me, my King. Not my way, but Your way be done to Your glory!” Thank You, for being my light and my salvation! Amen!