You Don’t Deserve Rescue—But Get It Anyway | Judges 2:16-18

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Our text today is Judges 2:16-18:

Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. — Judges 2:16-18

God’s anger burned in the last passage, but now his compassion rises. He raises up judges to deliver his people. Not because they deserved it, but because his mercy runs deeper than their rebellion.

Even when Israel ignored the judges and spiraled back into sin, God kept showing up. He wasn’t just keeping score—he was pursuing hearts.

“The Lord was moved to pity by their groaning…” That’s the heart of a Father.

God is just. But he is also tender. He disciplines, but he also delivers. He doesn’t abandon his people in their pain—even when that pain is their own doing.

And here’s the part that should stop us in our tracks: God saved them through the judge. But the people still didn’t listen. The problem wasn’t outside—it was inside. Their hearts were stubborn. Their worship wandered. Their loyalty fractured.

But still… God intervened. Not once. Repeatedly.

That’s grace. That’s our God.

And that’s your reminder: no matter how far you’ve drifted, God still has ways to pull you back. Maybe it’s a person. A moment. A truth that hits you like a freight train.

He hasn’t stopped reaching even if you’ve stopped listening.

So today, respond to the rescue. Don’t repeat the cycle.

ASK THIS:

What has God used in my life to draw me back to him?
Have I been ignoring his rescue efforts?
Why do I keep returning to what he’s already delivered me from?
What would it look like to fully respond today?
DO THIS:

Write down one way God has shown you mercy, and tell someone else about it today as an act of obedience and praise.

PRAY THIS:
Father, thank you for rescuing me even when I didn’t deserve it. Help me recognize your grace and respond to it with faith and obedience. Amen

PLAY THIS:
"Mercy."