How to Know God Deeply: Exploring the Book of Judges
Daily Bible Time: A Path to Knowing God Deeply
In my pursuit of learning how to know God deeply, daily Bible time has become an essential part of my day. Like refreshing water, I drink in the Word of God, allowing it to lead me into a profound relationship with Him.
Reflecting on Judges How an Entire Generation Lost Knowledge of God
In today’s reading from the Book of Judges, a particular verse caught my attention and prompted me to reflect on how we can truly know God in our lives. Let’s dive into the passage and explore how an entire generation lost knowledge of God and the lessons we can learn from it.
Today’s reading is from the Book of Judges I’m using the Message Remix translation as I read today. It puts it into contemporary language, written out in regular paragraphs like when you read a novel. As a result, it makes it so much easier to understand the context of the Word, and I use it often as a reference.
A Generation Unaware of God’s Work:
The scripture reads as follows:
After Joshua had dismissed them, the People of Israel went off to claim their allowed territories and take possession of the land. The people worshiped GOD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the time of the leaders who survived him, leaders who had been in on all of GOD’s great work that he had done for Israel. Then Joshua, son of Nun, the servant of GOD, died… (Judges 2:6-8)
Then it goes on to say:
Eventually, that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation came up that didn’t know anything of God or the work he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10 MSG, emphasis added)
The Importance of Passing Down Faith: Lessons for Today
This verse stands out like a flashing siren! I’ve read through this entire Book before, but this time I’m over here wondering like… “How does this whole younger generation not know what God did?! Not know who He is or the miracles He performed?”
As a mom of two littles, it’s beyond heartbreaking to think of them growing up and not knowing God. I began to wonder, how does that even happen?
Just imagine your own your own childhood briefly. I’m sure you remember watching your parents and how they worshipped and lived day-to-day. Whether by their absence or their presence in your life, you learned things from them. They taught you just through your observation of their patterns and daily habits.
So again, I come back to this Word and meditated on it asking: How, God? How on earth did an entire generation not know You?
Then in an instant the wisdom and understanding came to me from Holy Spirit who explained it all so perfectly:
That generation did not have it in their hearts:
-
- The love for GOD
- The personal relationship with Him
- The reliance on Him for their very breath
- They didn’t live for Him.
- It was something their parents did but it did not penetrate into their hearts
And that right there’s how an entire generation falls away from God.
A Contemporary Parallel: How to Know God Deeply in Secular Culture
Turn on the TV or take a peek into pop culture, and it is obvious that the love of God (let alone the fear of God), seems to have vanished from mainstream media. Let’s discuss the contemporary parallel between the people of Judges’ time and the challenges we face in a secular culture that often rejects God’s love and teachings.
When you think about it, isn’t that a lot like what we’re living through today?
Turn on the TV and take a peek into pop culture and it is obvious that the love of God has disappeared from the mainstream.
People may say they are Christians or love God, but their actions speak differently. Their idol worship speaks differently. The WORD reminds us says that you’ll know someone by their fruits, and sad to say, the fruits of mainstream pop culture doesn’t lead me to believe they are following the LORD God and the teachings of Jesus.
It is easy to judge ancient cultures and Old Testament peoples, because to us just reading how they acted towards God back then seems craaaazy. But truth is people act this way towards God all the time.
- They live their life according to their own whims and desires.
- They do what they want.
- They say what they want.
- They treat people however they want.
Don’t you know someone living like that? Haven’t you been like that too at some point in your life? #ouch
Judges can be a hard book to read. It’s just this constant push-and-pull as you’re eading stories of how the people fought against God and everything he stood for.
I guess I’m reminded in these couple short verses of the kind of mother I want to be. The type of woman I want to become so that I can avoid these mistakes. I don’t want the generation coming after me to be able to say they do not know Him. Know what I mean?
I don’t want myself or my children to make the mistakes our ancestors made. God doesn’t want that either.
Practical Steps on How Know God Deeply
So you’re wondering, How to Know God Deeply? Let’s explore practical steps to deepen our relationship with God, including treating Him like a real relationship, making time for Him, diving into the Bible, and passing down the love and devotion to our children.
You treat God like a real relationship and you make time for Him. Wake up and soon as your feet hit the ground you pray. It doesn’t have to be long and drawn out… it can simply be, “Thanks Lord, Help me today please.”
You get into your Bible and read what it has to say. I’m a busy mama too, girl, so I encourage you to make it easy by downloading a Bible app on your phone, or getting a special devotional.
Make sure that you’re passing down this same love and devotion your children. Help them to know beyond a shadow of a doubt who God is.
And when you pray to God, be sure you’re actually listening for His answers.
There’s so much wisdom in His way, girl. He loves you deeply. Let’s love Him deeply too.
There’s so much wisdom in His way, girl. He loves you deeply. Let’s love Him deeply too.
Conclusion
There’s so much wisdom in His way, girl. He loves you deeply. Let’s love Him deeply too.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me be a woman who trains my children to know and love You, relying on You for their every breath. May they never depart from You or take Your blessings for granted. Fill them with a deep love for You that consumes their hearts, Lord.
I pray that as Your child, I always recognize Your faithfulness, not only in the days of Judges but also in my daily life. You are faithful, performing unseen miracles every day. I acknowledge and thank You deeply for all You do.
Grant me a heart that worships You, Lord, and a desire to know You deeply. Help me fully embrace the person You want me to be, Lord, and empower me to guide every child in my life to love, know, honor, and build a true relationship with Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ holy name, I ask all these things with thanksgiving. Amen.
About the Author: Jemese LaChel is a devoted Christian trauma therapist, writer, podcaster and faith mentor for women, guided by the Holy Spirit and faith in Jesus Christ. With a compassionate heart and a deep understanding of the healing power of God’s love, Jemese is committed to helping women overcome trauma and find restoration in their spiritual journey. Through a blend of therapeutic expertise and Christian principles, she provides guidance, support, and practical tools for healing and personal growth. Join Jemese on Instagram to discover uplifting messages, biblical insights, and encouragement on the path to spiritual and emotional wholeness: http://instagram.com/jemeselachel