Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!” But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.

And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.

‭‭Judges‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The heart of God is one of repeated betrayal followed by repeated forgiveness.

His people repeatedly left him to serve other gods despite his miraculous works in their favor.

Stubborn and rebellious, they always ran back to his care and protection and he was merciful.

They merited no favor but he provided it nonetheless.

Not unlike these Old Testament accounts, the New Testament is about Jesus offering salvation and eternal life despite our sinfulness on repeat.

Belief in Christ changes you.

Days of wholesale rejection of God by believers was essentially over, replaced by an orientation to righteousness and obedience.

Not perfect, but now always trying.

That critical shift in our thinking and orientation occurring at the words of what we call ‘the sinner’s prayer’ is all God needs to redeem us and to begin his good work within us.

Old Testament accounts often foreshadow reports in the New Testament.

If you think about it, becoming a follower of Christ and being known as a Christian is probably the best example of ‘names have been changed to protect the innocent.’