August 12 - Thorns.

Judges 2:3
“Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.”
 
We have all experienced someone being “a thorn in our side”. 
It’s likely there is a face, or perhaps many faces, showing up in your mind. 
 
Have we ever stopped to consider the purpose of that thorn? Often, we do not give it much thought, other than the annoyance the person causes us. 
 
At this point within the children of Israel’s journey, these thorns were sent by the Lord Himself. Yes, you read that right. 
 
The people had directly disobeyed what the Lord told them to do.
 
Judges 2:2
“…but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?”
 
How many times has the Lord said and asked the same thing about us?
 
When God sends us thorns, He is trying to teach us a lesson.
Sometimes, that even involves allowing our adversary to have his way.
 
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
 
Thorns can lead us to repentance.
They can cause us to admit our sin and allow us to weep and worship the Lord.
 
Judges 2:4-5
“And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept. And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.”
 
Whatever or whoever your thorn is today, choose to allow it to bring you closer to Him.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 5-6   |    1 Peter 3