OCTOBER 8
And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
Israel was in a real predicament. They had turned deeply into idolatry and God gave them up to be beaten by their enemies. In final desperation they got rid of their idols and came back to the Lord, crying for His deliverance. And what was God’s reaction? He was grieved because of Israel’s misery. That’s the heart of God. He is with us when we turn to Him. Don’t let idols come between you and the Lord, young believer. They’ll rob you of your enjoyment of and your fellowship with Christ. You’ll be miserable. And God will be grieved over your misery.