JANUARY 31, 2010

NO TURNING

BACK!

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:9-11, 40-42, 56-58

"The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back

in the day of battle. They kept not the covenant of God,

and refused to walk in his law" ( vv. 9-10 ).

Did you hear the story of the general? As his troops were preparing to go to battle, he gave them the order never to retreat. They encountered the enemy, the battle began, and immediately one platoon turned and ran for the hills. After the battle and the regathering of troops, the general reprimanded the lieutenant for retreating. The lieutenant replied, "We didn't retreat. I just ordered them to about-face and charge!"

That may be a humorous story, but one of the most serious offenses a soldier can commit is running from the battle and abandoning his comrades. A soldier who is guilty of this offense will be severely punished.

In today's Scripture, we read three times that God's people, Israel, "turned back." Psalm 78 is an historical account of God's blessing upon His people. Over and over, we read of how good God was to them; but repeatedly, they turned their backs on Him. Lest we become too hard on Israel, we must not forget that we, too, can be guilty of the same sins.

When I was a teen, I remember singing, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back." It's easy to make promises, commitments, and vows to God and not keep them. We may be sincere in what we promise; but for some reason, we don't follow through. We turn back! In the Christian life, this behavior is a serious offense. In Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, God says we are better not to make a promise than to make it and not follow through. Turning back grieves God's heart and results in serious consequences for us. Don't be guilty of turning back!

EXERCISE: Have you made promises, commitments, or vows to God but have since turned your back on them? If so, ask God for forgiveness and recommit yourself to faithfulness.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus 11-13