Ten Minute Bible Talks Devotional Bible Study - The Worst Formula for Happiness | Historical Books | Judges 17

Episode Date: March 18, 2025

Are you constantly wanting more? Do you believe the false promises of our culture? What's your formula for happiness? In today's episode, Tanya shares how Judges 17 gives us the worst formula for happiness. We love to hear from you all! If you're listening on Spotify, drop a comment below and tell us your biggest takeaway from today's episode. Read the Bible with us in 2025! This year, we’re exploring the Historical Books—Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. Download your reading plan now. Your support makes TMBT possible. Ten Minute Bible Talks is a crowd-funded project. Join the TMBTeam to reach more people with the Bible. Give now. Like this content? Make sure to leave us a rating and share it so that others can find it, too. Use #asktmbt to connect with us, ask questions, and suggest topics. We'd love to hear from you! To learn more, visit our website and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter@TenMinuteBibleTalks. Don't forget to subscribe to the TMBT Newsletter here. Passages: Judges 17

Welcome to 10-minute Bible Talks, where we connect the Bible to your life. In the time it takes to get to work. I'm Tanya Wilmuth. Have you ever noticed how we're drawn to the promises that products make? Well, of course you have. But why do we believe that a Snickers bar will satisfy us? I mean, literally, why do we pick it up at the grocery store thinking it's a healthy choice when we're hungry? Why do we think that Dove Soap will cleanse us the natural way?

And of course, why do we think Nike's shoes will make us? better athletes. Now, these aren't just slogans. See, they're brilliant marketing campaigns, and they've actually shaped the way we think. These slogans don't just sell products. They sell fulfillment. And we buy in time and again because we love to want. Think about it. We're wired to desire. We don't just want a Snickers bar. We want energy, satisfaction, something to keep us going. We want to be able to win, beat out somebody else who, gosh, darn it hasn't had. had a Snickers bar. But what happens when that craving isn't for a product, but it's for a better life, a better future, a version of ourselves that finally feels complete? We tell ourselves things like

this. When I get through this battle, this struggle, this busy time, this season of my life, or when I can buy that, or when I accomplish that thing that I really hope to do, or when my kids reach that stage where I don't need the diaper bag or the stroller, or when I retire, or when I slow down, then, then I'll be happy. God is often part of that formula, but not the solution. Instead, we gather pieces to construct our happiness. We gather things like financial security and a fulfilling career and a stable family and personal achievements, again, all good things. But then as an afterthought, we invite God along for the ride and we just ask come to be our supportive sidekick rather than the central figure of all of those things in our lives.

And so then the problem, well, it's that we never really arrive. We never really get to the destination that we're chasing because we're chasing an illusion. There's always another thing to accomplish. There's always another responsibility to take on. And in the process, we just keep adding layers like obligations and debt, both financial and emotional, if unfulfilled longing. Wow. Sigh. Now this isn't just a modern issue. It is an age-old struggle. Take Micah, an Israelite living in the time of Judges just after the death of Samson. His story in Judges 17 is one example of how we try to manufacture security, happiness, and even faith on our own terms. Micah's formula for happiness looked like this. Number one, keep the peace. Avoid conflict or

discomfort at all cost. When his mother cursed the thief who stole her silver, Micah returned it, but it wasn't out of conviction, but out of fear. Number two, control your image. Don't dig deep to change, just manage how things look. Micah built a personal shrine, not to honor God, but to create a religious appearance and to feel religious himself. Number three, customize your faith. Fit spiritually into your lifestyle rather than submitting your lifestyle to God. Micah's mother dedicated the silver that he returned to the Lord, or at least part of it. And then used it to create an idol. This was a direct violation of God's command, but it was a way for them to bring spirituality into their house in a way that made them feel spiritual.

Number four. Surround yourself with people who affirm these things that you're doing rather than challenge you. Micah hired a Levite to be his personal priest, assuming that this would secure God's blessing. See, Micah's pursuit wasn't of God, but of control. I wonder how that makes us feel when we hear that. That's exactly what we do, right? When we shape our faith around our desires, rather than shaping our desires around our faith, it's hard to give up control. Micah's story shows us what happens to a people left to their own resources. Remembering judges,

it keeps telling us people who did what was right in their own eyes. But we see the same thing today. We filter God through the lens of what we want to accept. We say things like, I can no longer worship a God who rejects, and then fill in the blank. But what we mean is, I don't want a faith that conflicts with my culture. Or we say, God, help me, but we're thinking, please don't ask me to change or give that up. We want his assistance, but not his authority. And this is what happens when we live by our own formula, for happiness, for even spirituality, rather than surrendering to the one that God has given us. Psalm 112 presents a stark contrast. And I want you to listen closely because it might seem like we're talking about material goods and wealth here, but that's not the case.

So Psalm 112 goes like this. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord. Now, that just means who makes God their authority, right? The one who is submissive to the Holy God. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commands. His offspring will be mighty in the land. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. See, what this is telling us is that if we truly want to have an impact, if we truly want to feel blessed or happy in the Lord and in our lives, if we truly want our children to see the Lord working in our lives, well, then we have to fear the Lord, greatly delighting in His commandments. The person described here doesn't manufacture a sense of security, doesn't control how things are going, doesn't mold God

into a manageable idol, but surrenders fully to God's design. And the result? Real peace, true security, a lasting impact, not one based on performance, but on God's presence. Maybe you can relate to Micah's mother in the story in judges. You want good things for your children. You want them to have what you didn't. You want to protect your relationship with them. But we have to ask, are we shaping our parenting around our own desires or around what God wants for that child? Maybe you relate to Micah. You want the comfort of God's presence, but resist full submission. You don't want to stand out too much as a Christian. You want faith to fit into your life rather than transforming it. What parts of God's character are you hesitant to embrace? What would it look like to let go of control and trust him completely? The goal of real faith isn't just to be a better person, a better parent. The goal is to give God full access to your heart so that he can shape your life according to his, will and not yours. So what are you holding on to that keeps you from surrendering fully?

Are you building a version of faith that fits into your life, or are you allowing God to shape your life completely? If happiness feels like something you're always chasing, but never catching, if peace feels like something you hope for, but never truly feel? Ask, have I placed my trust in my own formula rather than God's design? Am I inviting God along on my journey, or am I surrendering to the journey he has for me? Try this formula. Submission plus trust equals true peace. In his book praying lock monks living like fools, Taylor Staten suggests praying like Mary did. She said, behold, I am your servant. Let it be done in me according to your word. There are two parts to this prayer. Number one, behold, I am your servant. Will you sit with God in that?

What does it mean that he has chosen you to serve him? What does it look like to submit to this calling? Number two, let it be done in me according to your word. What in your life is not in line with His word? How can you prepare your heart spiritually and your day practically to be part of what God is doing in the world? So let His spirit lead you all throughout your day. we can stop chasing an illusion of happiness. We can stop customizing our faith.

Because when we surrender to the only one who can truly satisfy, we will experience more joy, more security, and more purpose that only he can provide.