Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 June 2025 (Thursday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 19th June 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: The Ultimate Judge of Righteousness
OPENING PRAYER: Oh Lord, grant me divine guidance as I read and meditate on your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE READING – Judges 9:42-57
42 On the following day, the people went out into the field, and Abimelech was told. 43 He took his people and divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. And he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. So he rose against them and killed them. 44 Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and killed them. 45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.
46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-berith. 47 Abimelech was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 And Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bundle of brushwood and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.” 49 So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abimelech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about 1,000 men and women.
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. 52 And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. 54 Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. 55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. 56 Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION:
► Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
► Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
► Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 June 2025 – OUTLINE
Today’s reading concludes the account of Abimelech’s reign and reveals the ultimate judgment of God upon his wickedness and the people who supported him. God’s judgment is evident throughout this passage as He repays Abimelech for his wickedness. Abimelech had killed his seventy brothers in a quest for power, and now God brings justice upon him. Be encouraged that God does not overlook unrighteousness. While we may witness evil deeds go unpunished in our world, we can trust that God sees all and will hold each person accountable for their actions.
Even amid human wickedness and chaos, God is ultimately in control. He can turn the darkest situations round for His glory and fulfil His plans of justice and redemption. The account of Abimelech’s downfall encourages us to place our trust in God’s justice. Notice the way he died (Judges 9:53)? For such a powerful man to die under the hand of a woman was considered shameful hence his action in Judges 9:54. A miserable end awaits the wicked (compare 1 Samuel 31:2-5).
It can be disheartening to witness injustice and the apparent success of the wicked in our world. However, we can find comfort and assurance in the knowledge that God is the ultimate judge. He will ultimately bring every deed into judgment and ensure that righteousness prevails.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Roll out your justice and righteousness into our world that is full of oppression and bloodshed, dear Lord.
One Year Bible Reading Guide:
2 Chronicles 21-23; Ecclesiastes 2.
One Year Bible Reading Guide, Hard Copy Version:
Ecclesiastes 1-6
National Prayer Bulletin – Thursday Jun 19, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
WIDOWS /WIDOWERS
We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success comes from God. 2 Cor. 3: 4-5
THANK GOD FOR:
* The grace of God upon our brethren whose husbands and wives have departed • His presence and continuous sustenance and provisions
PRAY FOR:
* The zeal to continue in fellowship, study of the word and prayers • Increased hunger for righteousness and the things of God • For them to always have reasons to rejoice in the faithfulness of the Lord.
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 19 June 2025)