Ask before calling it quits

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Judges 20:28And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministered before it in those days--saying, Shall we yet again go out to battle against our brethren the Benjamites or shall we quit? And the Lord said, Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.

The Benjamites had intended to rape and kill a man from the Levite clan while he was staying the night at a former Ephraim resident's house in Gibeah. The Benjamites took the Levite's concubine instead and raped and abused her to death. When the Levite got back to his home he cut her body into twelve pieces, and sent the pieces all over Israel. The twelve tribes came together to do something about what had happened. A war broke out and at first, Israel took all the losses. Then, when they were about to give up, God tells Phinehas that He will now deliver the Benjamites into Israel's hands.

I think that man shouldn't have cut his concubine into pieces. I think Israel didn't ask God what to do before going into battle. It is said over and over in Judges that Judges 21:25In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes. The commentary on this scripture is very interesting because it says that basically there was no king because they didn't acknowledge God as their king. The people just followed the law. They didn't ask God about anything until they were ready to quit. Once they asked God what to do, that is when God helped them. God was waiting for them to talk with Him all along. Once they asked Him what to do, He didn't condemn them, or withhold His answer. Sometimes I think that I am sooo bad. That this is the worst I've ever been. This is the most disobedient or sinful I've ever been. But God is always there, waiting to have a relationship with me. I never need to get to the point of giving up to hear Him speak. I simply need to ask Him and He will answer.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being all I need. Lord, I have to be honest with You, I am very tired. I am worn out. I need Your spirit. I need Your strength. Lord, I want to only do Your will. Please change me, Lord. I want Your will to happen in my life. I dedicate my heart to You once again. Please forgive me for sinning. Lord, I lean and press into You today. May I not call it quits. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.