TLIC FAMILY. DAY 47. FEBRUARY 16: A DELIVERER.

THINK TOGETHER

Have you ever had to say “I’m sorry” for doing something wrong?

READ TOGETHER

After Moses died, Joshua led the people into the Promised Land. And all was well…for a little while. But soon after Joshua died the Hebrews began to sin. A lot. They started to act just like the other people in the land. They began to worship other gods and idols. They began to do very wicked things. Listen to how life in the Promised Land is described here in Judges chapter 3:

Judges 3:7-9. ⁷ And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the [false gods]. ⁸ Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served [the king of Mesopotamia] for eight years. ⁹ But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 

The book of Judges is a repeating cycle that tells the same story again and again. First the people sin, then they get conquered, then they cry out to God, then God rescues them. And this happened over, and over, and over.

The sad thing is that sometimes our lives can be this same cycle. Have you ever done something wrong, said “I’m sorry,” and then turned around and done the same exact wrong thing again a little bit later? I have. Why do we repeat the same bad things over and over? Because simply saying “I’m sorry” doesn’t actually change our heart does it? Sometimes, like in the book of Judges, we only apologize because we want to get out of trouble.

Because Jesus died for our sins on the cross all of our sin are forgiven. But not only that, Jesus also teaches us how to not do the same sins over and over, and over. His love helps us to trust him and actually choose to love God and love others, and be kind to each other just like Jesus.

Because of Jesus I am always loved and forgiven.

With Jesus I can learn how to do good.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Take some time to teach your kids how to do something (bake cookies, fold laundry, load the dishwasher). Talk about how Jesus doesn’t just forgive us, he teaches us so that we can learn how to do good.

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus, help me to know you love me, and help me to love others like you. Amen.