The Story Chapter 8 / When Your Mistakes Land You Before a Judge

A minister once told a story:

“It was my ninth grade year at Robert E. Lee Jr. High in San Angelo, Texas.  My student council job was to broadcast the morning announcements.  It was the first step in my dream of becoming an on-air personality.  My team and I added a little spice to the traditionally droll morning litany of announcements.
For awhile things went fine.  Then one day Amy Cassles had an idea.  Instead of just reading off the list of birthdays, Amy wanted to sing the birthday song.  It was my show and I gave her the go-ahead.  We imagined our imaginary ratings soaring.  But then, halfway through the song, Amy busted out laughing uncontrollably.
            At the end of our program there was dead silence.  Until our principal, Mr. Snodgrass, asked to see us.  A look of terror struck the eyes of my team.  I know because their eyes were staring right at me.  In a moment of extreme bravery on my part, I led the way into Mr. Snodgrass’ office.  Mr. Snodgrass was a retired military commander and we felt like we were going before the judge in a court martial.”

Judges elicit a sense of fear, don’t they?  They never call you in for something you have done right.  We think of them as someone who harshly tells us what we did wrong.  And they seem to be everywhere these days on television.  There’s Judge Judy and Hatchett.  Mathis and Christina and Judge Brown. 

Then there are some judges you may not know.  They even have a book in the Bible with their name on it.  Judges.  These judges appeared on the scene to help sort out right and wrong.  They also helped people get out of trouble.

God’s people kept putting themselves into a never ending cycle of disobedience, discipline, declaration of wrong, and deliverance.  Judges like Deborah and Gideon and Samson helped them find their way back to God. 

What did the people do that was so bad they needed judges?  Two things.  First, they failed to put God first in their lives (Judges 1:28).  And secondly, they did not teach their children to know God (Judges 2:10).  These two “sins” led to their downfall and ruin.

Are you making the same mistakes they made?  If so, you have a judge that can help you––Jesus.

The good news is that when he “calls” you into his office after you've messed up, you will look up to see your judge’s face and see your savior there.