Scripture Union Daily Guide Sunday 18th May 2025 Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 18 May 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: Training And Testing
OPENING PRAYER: Oh Lord, grant me divine guidance as I read and meditate on your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE: Judges 3:1-14
1 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.
4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:
6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
8 Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.
9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
10 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.
11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord.
13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.
14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION:
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
► Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide Sunday 18th May 2025 OUTLINE
Why did the Lord allow Israel’s idolatrous neighbours to remain (Judges 3:2,4)? Often, temptations, trials, suffering, and pain are the means by which our faith and obedience are tested, refined and awakened, leading to resolved devotion to God (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Turning away from the living God to worship lifeless idols led to two major consequences for the people. What are they (Judges 3:7,8)?
How is this applicable to us today in our walk with God? Compare Judges 3:6 with Deuteronomy 7:3 and Ezra 9:12. How does this contribute to forsaking God among the majority, both in Israel’s time and today?
Note the role of the Holy Spirit in Othniel’s anointing as Judge (Judges 3:10). What lessons can you learn about leadership and people’s character when you reflect on the Israelites’ behaviour after Othniel’s death?
And So:
Look back on your own walk with the Lord. How many times have you asked the Lord for mercy repeatedly, for the same sin? This is not to suggest that Israel was right, rather to point to the true nature of man. We fail the Lord so many times in areas we should rather be mature not only to recognize sin, but to avoid it!
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN: Rescue the Perishing
1. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain: Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
2. Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
3. Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
4. Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, enough of going back to my vomit. Grant me grace to be an overcomer in every area of my life.
One Year Bible Reading Guide:
2 Samuel 1-2, Matthew 14.
One Year Bible Reading Guide, Hard Copy Version:
Psalms 26, Psalms 40, Psalms 58, Psalms 61-62, Psalms 64
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Sun May 18, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
NATIONAL SU CAMP OF HOPE BENIN/ALL SU CAMP GROUND AND PROPERTY
Once has He spoken and twice have I heard; that power belongs to God. Ps. 62:11
THANK GOD FOR:
* Providing the ministry with the National Camp of Hope, Benin. • The victory the Lord has granted the ministry over all contentions concerning the camp.
PRAY FOR:
* Divine supply for speedy development of the camps. • The Forces opposing the development of that camp will give way. • God will silence every spiritual or diabolic power that is opposing the development of the camp. • Safety of lives of the users the camp.
PRAY AGAINST:
Declare that: • No ugly incidence will ever happen in that camp and every other campground of the Union.
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. (Scripture Union Daily Guide 18 May 2025)