Author: David Short

Judith 8:24-25

“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

As we continue to walk through the account of Judith with regard to her chastisement of the Jewish leaders of Bethulia for testing God, we see that correction is always accompanied with a charge to do that which is right. The leadership is challenged to be a godly example in front of the people that they serve in order to effectively lead them and teach them to follow God. We too must be examples to those around us. Glory be to God!

Luke 9:23-24

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

Personal Challenge

We must be consistently examining our lives to determine if we are denying ourselves and taking up our cross to follow Christ. Am I taking the needs of others in consideration over my own needs and desires? Am I submitting to God and seeking what He wants me to be doing in my life? Am I giving freely of my blessings and resources, including my time, to serve and glorify my God? I must be consistently losing my life in order to embrace His life for me. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Judith 8:17

Therefore, while we await His deliverance, let us call upon Him to help us, and if it pleases Him He will hear our voice.

Personal Challenge

The essence of the book of Judith can be summed up in this verse. God has a plan for all of us in His greater story and kingdom. We will seldom have the privilege of knowing what that plan is. Our responsibility is to wait for Him to do His work in our lives and to diligently call upon Him as we are waiting. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Luke 8:16-18

“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Personal Challenge

The only place for mystery in the Christian life are the mysteries of God. These are not mysteries because they come from a secretive and elusive God, but because they are incomprehensible to the human mind. Through Christ, much was revealed to us, and through the Holy Spirit, continues to be revealed to His children. The important part of this passage is our charge to be His lights in this dark world, to be willing to shine God’s love, grace, and mercy into the life of every person that we come it into contact with. We are to be revealing God’s love to everyone. Glory be to God!

Judith 8:14

You cannot plumb the depths of the heart of man, nor grasp the thoughts of his mind. How then do you expect to search out God, who made all these things, and come to understand His mind or comprehend His purpose? No, brothers! Do not provoke the Lord our God to anger. ‘

Personal Challenge

Judith continues to challenge the leaders of Bethulia for giving God a finite number days to protect them. We can barely understand our own thoughts let alone understand that which goes on in the mind of God. His wisdom and knowledge are unlimited and incomprehensible. When we begin to give Him limits or timelines we are provoking Him to teach us a lesson about trusting and obeying Him. It is far better for us to just stick with trust and obedience, living our lives in faith believing that He knows what is best for us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner!

Luke 7:31-35

And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Encouraging Words

Jesus had just been reprimanded by the leaders of His church for hanging out with sinners and sharing His teachings in the midst of the common world. The Pharisees and Sadducees were so wrapped up in their teachings (not God’s) and their traditions (not God’s) that they could not engage with the world that God specifically called them to take His message to. We must always be careful of getting so attached to the ways that our faith practice worships God that we lose sight of God Himself. Jesus responds and rebukes these leaders by proclaiming that the proof of His approach is in the numbers and sincerity of His children. History has born this out. Glory be to God!

Luke 7:13

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

Encouraging Words

We do not serve a ruthless, in-compassionate God. God is love! God is mercy! God cares for all of His creation, not just those who have chosen to follow Him. His desire is that all might come to him. We too must be willing to show compassion to others. We cannot be selective in who we show God’s love to for He was not selective in His love for us. Glory be to God!