Scripture:  Judges 17: 6 (NLT) 6 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

Observation:  How do you judge what is right from wrong?  What do you base your decisions on whether it's morally right or not?  Here the Israelites were instructed to follow the commandments of the Lord and to worship Him only....but as we can see from scripture the Lord was being very-very patient with the Israelites as they went wayward on their "own".  "all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."

Application:  Looking back at my life in general and how I made my decisions before knowing about the Love of God, I can see now that it was mostly made in the "dark".  I listened to what others had to say...I was guided by schools....I was guided by my parents...I was guided by friends and family...I was guided by fellow workers....bottomline I had many to speak into my life in how I made my decisions.  Don't get me wrong many had wise and loving things to share as I grew up.....but the only thing I didn't have at that time was being guided by the Lord.  I didn't have an eternal perspective on things...it was just doing things my way on a temporary level.  I didn't comprehend that there was more to life than my being here on earth until I die.  2nd Corinthians 3:17 tells us--17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."  I am truly set free  when I base my decisions on God's Word.....because who the Son sets free is free indeed! Eternity is my destiny now..... Hallelujah!

Prayer:  Lord as I read this passage I think of the many who have not heard about your Love, I think about the many who have but are blinded by the enemy to see the whole truth, I think about those that intentionally reject you and  I think about those that are just sitting on the fence wondering if this whole God thing is real before they surrender to you.  Lord I think about the "signs" that are showing up in our world, government, rumors of wars, and just an influx of people growing cold towards your Love.  Lord I feel for all of these people...I pray your compassion, mercy and patience extend to them today  before it is too late.  I pray that the veil and blinders would come off in Jesus Name to see your truth...I pray we would all be fervent as your chosen people to reach the lost....I pray these thing through your son Jesus Christ...Amen