We all go through a lot of tests in our life.  God sometimes tests our faith just like he tested Israel’s faith in Judges 2.  I think Satan also tests us in some of our weakest moments to see if we’ll sin and make his smile.

Sometimes we test ourselves to see if we’re up for a challenge.  And we all have people in our lives who test our patience every time we’re with them.

Lots of tests.  There are times that we pass the test and others where we fail.  We read about how the Israelites failed some of their tests over and over and over again.  They would fall into sin but, fortunately, they would also repent.

Repenting is the key to keeping our relationship right with God.  God knows what we’ve done, we’re just agreeing with him that it’s a sin when we repent.  True repentance includes a genuine attempt at turning away from the sin – trying not to do it again.  If we don’t intend to try to stop the sin, we are not repenting no matter what words come out of our mouths.

And God is not pleased with empty promises to change.