When we reach chapter 6 of Judges were getting tired of the same phrase, “Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” The story goes on to tell us that God “gave them over into the hands of the Midianites.” They became slaves and were poorly treated. Then verse 6 tells us “Israel was brought very low…and the people cried out for help to God.”
Being brought “very low” is a good description when we are disciplined by God. He brings us “very low” by a variety of means. There are many kinds of “Midianites” in my world. But when I acknowledge my sin, I can cry out to God like Israel did. He will always answer us.
Psalm 142:1 says, “With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
Psalm 3:4, “I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me…”
The New Testament teaches us that God is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He will never turn a cold ear to us.
We get weary of hearing how often Israel “did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Imagine how our lives disappoint the Lord. I’m sure he gets weary of our constant failures as well. But he will always hear us when we cry out for help, even from the belly of the whale.