February 9

Judges 2:6‑7
“And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land. And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that He did for Israel”— Judges 2:6, 76And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land. 7And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel. (Judges 2:6‑7).
IN God’s dealings with Israel we may see exemplified great principles that have valuable lessons for us. As we go back over church history we can see how similar conditions have prevailed. Times of declension have been followed by seasons of revival, generally brought about by certain leaders whom God has raised up to call His people back to Himself. It has been their responsibility to emphasize some line of truth that had been ignored, to a great extent, for years. Luther re-affirmed the truth of justification by faith; the Wesleys, regeneration and the witness of the Spirit; Moody and others, the preciousness of free grace; and so with others of God’s messengers. The great danger came in the next and following generations, when those who did not have to purchase the truth at the expense of suffering and persecution readily surrendered it and turned back to what their fathers had left for Christ’s sake.
“Faith of our fathers! living still
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword:
Oh how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free:
How sweet would be their children’s fate,
If they, like them, could die for thee!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!”
— Frederick W. Faber.