9 The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim; Israel was in great distress. 10 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, “We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals.”
Here we go again. The Israelites suffer for many years and keep sinning. Then, they give up their sin and call out to God. They seem to call on God only when they are at the end of their rope. Why?? Is God your last resort when things are going really bad or even really good? Do not call on God after you have used up all your resources looking in other places to fix a problem or fill a need. Do not wait for a situation to get really bad before you call on God. Keep your lines of communication open in all situations in your life. God has the resources to meet every kind of problem.