January 6, 2026

BE AN EXAMPLE

Judith 8:24-25 (not in the Protestant Bible)

“Now my brothers, let us set an example for our people, for their very lives depend upon us. Furthermore, the sanctuary, the temple, and the altar rest upon us. Besides all this, let us be thankful to the Lord our God, who is testing us just as He did our fathers.”

Personal Challenge

Judith admonishes the leaders of her community to be an example to the people that live there and to submit to the test that God has brought upon them. This is so important for those of us who choose to be followers of Christ. As His representatives in this world we must submit to Him and live in a way that demonstrates who Jesus is and that He loves everyone. We are seeing the opposite of this so much today by so many people who proclaim to be Christians. You cannot cheer when the foreigners amongst us get arrested and deported and proclim Christ. You cannot delight in wars and abuses and insurrections and proclaim Christ. You cannot cover up or participate in peclophilia, rape, theft, corruption, and acts of hatred and proclaim Christ. Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!