Bible in 90 Days - Day 17

I have to admit that I really struggled to finish today's reading (Joshua 15 through Judges 3). Most of the chapters covered the dividing of Canaan and how it was distributed to each of the tribes. There were a LOT of cities listed.

Judges records the beginnings of Israel's wavering.

1 - The Israelites are following God.
2 - The last judge/leader dies.
3 - The Israelites start worshiping other gods.
4 - The Lord is angry with Israel and allows other peoples to start ruling over them.
5 - Israel cries because of their bondage.
6 - God hears and sends a judge to save them.
7 - The Israelites are following God.
8 - The last judge/leader dies.
9 - The Israelites start worshiping other gods.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

After reading about the first of many rebellions, an earlier promise begins to feel very relevant.

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them
Deuteronomy 4:29-31.

I am very grateful that God is a merciful God and that He continued to love the Israelites. Because of these stories, I am reassured that God continues to love me even when I fall over and over again.