22. Come, Follow Me Moms; May 25-31st, Judges 2-4, 6-8, 13-16; The Pride Cycle, The God who stays, Samson, Deborah, Gideon, Come Follow Me Scripture Study
COME, FOLLOW ME MOMS
Episode 22 | May 25–31
Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
“The Pride Cycle & The God Who Stays”
Hey mamas, welcome back to Come, Follow Me Moms. If you are new here, welcome. We are so happy you are here. This is a scripture study podcast where we go through the weekly Come, Follow Me lesson and apply it to real motherhood. Because yes… every story in the scriptures still applies today. And honestly, every week I say it’s my favorite because every week it ends up being exactly what I needed to hear. I pray this episode blesses your life and that the Spirit is with you as you listen throughout your day.
This week we are diving into the book of Judges… and mamas, this book is messy. But honestly? So is motherhood sometimes.
Have you ever had a spiritual high moment?
You’re in the temple.
You’re journaling.
You feel God so clearly.
You know exactly what He wants you to do…
And then two days later… you doubt everything?
THAT is Judges.
This book is one giant cycle of:
forgetting, struggling, crying out to God, being rescued… and then forgetting again. And honestly, sometimes motherhood feels exactly like that.
The book of Judges and Ruth cover the time between the death of Joshua and the birth of Samuel. We see rebellion, oppression, deliverance, miracles, idolatry, lawlessness, and imperfect people trying to follow God. It’s a lot… but there is so much hope inside these chapters.
In Judges 2 we learn about the pride cycle, or repentance cycle:
Rebel → Bondage → Cry for Deliverance → Repentance → Deliverance → Rest → Rebel again. Over and over again.
And before we judge Israel too quickly… aren’t we sometimes the same?
Judges 2:19 says they would not stop their stubborn ways. I think sometimes we read stories like this and wonder, “How could they keep forgetting God?” But then we do the same thing. We have spiritual experiences. We feel inspired. We know what God is asking us to do… and then fear, doubt, overthinking, and the world start creeping in.
I know I’ve done this. I’ll be journaling with Jesus, feeling the Spirit so strongly, and think, “Okay Lord, let’s do this.” And then suddenly my brain starts questioning everything. Was that really inspiration? Was that just me? Am I capable of doing that? And before I know it, I start backpedaling instead of following through.
Mamas… stop doubting yourself.
Sometimes our brains try to keep us safe. But faith was never meant to stay safe. Don’t play the safe game. Play the God game. He will help you. He will direct your path. He will make a way where there seems to be no way.
I actually caught myself the other day about to ask ChatGPT something that I should have taken to God. And while technology is wonderful and helpful, I paused and thought, “Why am I asking Chat what I should be asking God?” God is our Father. He is the true source. Let Jesus prevail in your life. Let the Spirit prevail in your life.
In Chapter 3 we meet some scripture heroes like Othniel and Ehud. Ehud was left-handed and unexpected. The thing that made him different became something God used. And I love that reminder for us as moms. God uses unlikely people all throughout scripture. Quiet moms. Loud moms. Homeschool moms. Working moms. Anxious moms. Overwhelmed moms. Moms who feel unseen or unsure. The thing that makes you feel different may actually be the thing God uses most powerfully.
Then we meet one of my favorite women in scripture: Deborah.
Deborah was a prophetess and judge of Israel. She was wise, courageous, faithful, and full of light. She sat beneath a palm tree, and people came to her for wisdom and guidance. Israel was being oppressed by a wicked king and his commander Sisera, and God called Deborah to help deliver His people. She called Barak to gather an army, but Barak was afraid and said he would only go if Deborah went with him. Deborah agreed and reminded him that the Lord had already gone before them.
One of the most powerful verses says:
“Is not the Lord gone out before thee?” — Judges 4:14
Mamas… has the Lord not gone before you before?
Has He not helped you before?
Has He not carried your family before?
Has He not answered prayers before?
Then why do we panic as if He won’t do it again?
Deborah’s story also includes Jael, a woman of gentle courage who fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy and defeated Sisera. God used ordinary women in powerful ways.
One thing I absolutely loved in this week’s study was the invitation to “Talk of Christ.” I love Elder Neil L. Andersen’s talk, We Talk of Christ. I highlighted almost the entire thing.
I used to feel awkward talking openly about Jesus. Then I met a sweet grandma who just loved Jesus so deeply. She wasn’t part of our faith tradition, but she constantly praised Him. “Praise Jesus.” “Glory to God.” “Amen.” She wasn’t afraid to talk about Him, and it changed me. At first it felt uncomfortable, but over time talking about Jesus became natural.
Mamas… TALK OF CHRIST.
Be different.
Be bold.
Be a Jesus lover.
The world is loud about everything else. Why are we sometimes so quiet about Jesus?
Then we get to Gideon in Judges 6–8. And honestly… I think so many moms will relate to Gideon.
When we first meet Gideon, he is hiding because he is afraid. But the angel calls him:
“Thou mighty man of valour.”
Gideon immediately starts doubting himself. He says he is poor, weak, and the least important in his family. He keeps asking for reassurance because he doesn’t feel qualified. But God keeps saying:
“Surely I will be with thee.”
THAT is the message.
Not “You can do it alone.”
But “God will help you.”
God tells Gideon to gather an army, but then reduces the army down to only 300 men so Israel will know the victory came from God and not from their own strength. Gideon’s men go into battle carrying trumpets, lamps, and pitchers. They blow the trumpets, break the pitchers, and shout:
“The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!”
And God delivers them.
Mamas, weakness does not disqualify you. You do not need to feel ready for God to use you. Sometimes we are waiting for clarity when God is simply asking us to stand in our place.
Live your life as if you already won… not because you are strong enough, but because God already knows the outcome.
And finally… Samson. Oh Samson.
Samson was born under a special covenant and blessed with incredible strength. His long hair symbolized that covenant with God. Samson did mighty things through God’s power, but he continually allowed himself to become distracted by pride, temptation, compromise, and worldly desires. Eventually Delilah betrayed him, his hair was cut, and he lost his strength.
But the beautiful part of Samson’s story is that even after failure, God still heard him when he turned back.
Samson’s story is really about potential. He was called to do great things, but kept getting distracted from God’s purpose. And honestly… isn’t that such a modern struggle too?
So instead of ending this week saying:
“Wow… Israel was stubborn.”
Maybe we ask:
Lord, is it I?
Am I forgetting You?
Am I doubting You?
Am I compromising?
Am I trusting fear more than faith?
Mamas… the book of Judges is messy. The people are messy. The leaders are messy. And honestly? So are we sometimes. But the good news of the gospel is this: God does not stop pursuing His people. Again and again, He rescues. He restores. He calls. He strengthens. He stays.
So this week:
Stop playing the safe game.
Play the God game.
Talk of Christ.
Trust His prompting.
Stand in your place.
And remember:
“Has not the Lord gone before thee?”