Day 9 - Breaking free from cycles of negative trends (Judges 3:12)

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord Judges 3:12

How many times have you read this passage in the bible? Once, twice or several times. In the book of Judges we read about God’s covenant people rebelling against him seven times.

God spoke, they heard, they obeyed and then they disobeyed. A negative cycle of rebellion was repeating itself throughout time. God’s covenant people were walking out a negative trend that breached the basic principles of human living before the Lord. This happened because:

• They failed to fear God - Ecclesiastes 12:13
• Fix their eyes upon him – Hebrews 12:2
• Obey his commandments - 1 Samuel 15:22, John 14:15
• Keep themselves undefiled – Psalm 15:2-3
• Trust in him – Proverbs 3:5-6
• Fulfil their human governance and priestly duties – Genesis 1:26, Psalms 103:19
• Their mind knew God but their will was not in agreement with God
• Their senses knew the ways of God, but their heart didn’t - Isaiah 29:13

Similar to the children of Israel, many believers in Christ, have fallen into sync with a pattern of negative trend. They begin their faith journey positioned in Christ and then they progressively backslide, partaking in sins rooted in idolatry, adultery, pride, gluttony and lust. Similar to the children of Israel, when they were in trouble they cried out to the Lord, weeping, and wailing for mercy, and when the Lord answered their prayers, they returned back to the same habit. So how do we as believers, break out of cycles of negative trends and generation patterns of behaviour?

Here are some things you can do to help you breakout of cycles of negative trends

• Seek the face of God and keep your eyes on Jesus - you will not yield to the temptation of sin if your ultimate desire is Jesus
• Identify the sin and repent- identify the sin and make a conscious decision to turn your back on that behaviour or habit
• Resist the devil and he will flee – Do not entertain the sin bait of Satan.
• Know God - Know God from your heart, not just intellectually
• Trust in the Lord with all your heart
• Forgive those who have wronged you and forgive yourself
• Pray and pray again

Today, in this fast, why don’t you set your mind on knowing God. Focus on his majesty. Marvel in his presence and get to know him. It is O.K, to have a seat in the presence of the Lord and just talk to God. While you are there, why don’t you also repent of your sinful habits. It is never too late to decide to follow Jesus with your whole heart.

Scriptures to meditate upon

Psalms 34:17 - The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalms 107:6 - Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

Psalms 50:15 - And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Let us pray:

Father Lord, I desire to know you more intimately. I set my eyes on you. I turn my back on my lustful desires. Which is why I come before you repenting of my sins. Forgive me for rejecting your holy principles and ordinances. I failed to walk in the fear of the Lord and I have sought what was right in my own eyes. Let your forgiveness break off the consequence of my wrong actions off my life. Today, I declare that I will walk in obedience according to your word, by forgiving others as you forgave me, in Jesus name. Amen.

For further studies read Mathew 25-27