Forgetting God Leads to Chains | Judges 3:7–8

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Our text today is Judges 3:7-8

And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. — Judges 3:7-8

What happens when God lets you have the life you chose without him?

Notice the sequence:

They forgot the Lord.
They served false gods.
God’s anger burned.
They were sold into slavery.
Israel’s biggest problem wasn’t its enemies. It was their memory. Forgetting God led them straight into idolatry, and idolatry led them straight into chains.

God’s judgment wasn’t random—it was righteous. When Israel abandoned him, he gave them exactly what they wanted: life under the rule of another master. But the freedom they thought they’d find in Baal worship became bondage under Cushan-rishathaim.

This is how sin still works. Forgetting God always opens the door to false gods. And false gods always enslave.

Maybe for you it’s not a wooden empty false-god like Baal—it’s other false-gods like money, success, approval, lust. But the pattern is the same: what you serve ends up ruling you.

Don’t miss this: forgetting God is the first step into slavery. The enemy doesn’t need you to deny God outright—just to forget him little by little, until you wake up chained.

ASK THIS:

Where have I grown forgetful of God’s presence in my daily life?
What “false gods” am I tempted to serve in place of him?
Have I mistaken slavery to sin for freedom?
What daily habit can I build to keep remembering God?
DO THIS:

Set one daily reminder (alarm, sticky note, verse card) to pause and remember God today—before the world makes you forget him.

PRAY THIS:
Lord, don’t let me forget you. Keep me close, and protect me from the chains that come when I turn from you. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
"No Longer Slaves."