Judges 2-6: Deliverance

Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. -Judges 2:18-19 NIV

We are no different now than the Israelites were in ancient times.  We always tend to follow after men rather than God.  If a righteous person is installed, we follow righteousness.  Otherwise, we copy the actions of whoever seems to be in charge.  The Israelites began to follow after the Baals and Asherahs and disaster ensured.  God gave them a godly judge, Othniel and they were at peace for forty years.  When the godly judge was gone,  they forgot all about God and lived under oppression until Ehud rescued them.  After that, they were saved by Shamgar, Deborah, and finally Gideon.  All of these judges arose during difficult times to lead God's people against the enemy that surrounded them.  We need to ask God for a righteous judge.  Not a righteous president, governor, senate or court.  We need a righteous judge in the midst of God's people.  One who will pursue the enemy, the true enemy, and put him to death.  We have been overcome by the enemy of God, he is the one that is bringing about the rapid descent into lawlessness and lasciviousness that we witness in our country today.  We need to cry out to God that he will raise up people who hear his voice and are not afraid to not just face, but chase after the enemy.  Only when God sees righteousness in the midst of his church, will we be delivered.