Got Stupid Stuff?

Now in those days Israel had no king. [Judges 19.1a]

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. [Judges 21.25]

Today's reading starts and stops with the two scriptures noted above. In between are some seriously messed up events.

What is most confusing about all that took place in the events of today's reading is the fact that Israel sought God!

Here are a couple takeaways from today's reading: Devotion to God without obedience to His Word is just stupid. We evidently don't fully understand the role of a king, as Israel's lack of one is said to be the reason for the insanity.

With the two takeaways above, I am first going to make personal application: All the religious talk and actions in the world are of no use when I am in disobedience to God's Word.

Then, if a king then was so important, how important today is King Jesus?

In all of this I can see that unless I am totally and completely subject to my Lord,  I can expect stupid stuff in my life. In fact, stupid stuff is an indication of human exclusion of God.

Got stupid stuff?

Father, I have had many opinions about the events detailed in today's reading over the past years of my life. But today, I see the application of today's story to my own life. Help me to rely on You for everything.