Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. (Judges 3:15 ESV)
FINALLY
When I was a child my mom baked a particular Christmas Cookie. It was a golfball-sized ball of a particular dough, covered lightly with powdered sugar. They were my favorite cookie.
Years later, when my taste-memory started to demand one of those cookies, she did not remember what they were. I did know the ingredients. My mom tried to bake them again for me, but never got it quite (or even close to) right.
I sampled cookies that looked like my favorites for many years, without success. Some cookies were similar, but they never had what was just right. I tried so many for so long. I had almost given up. But I knew what I wanted. I knew what I yearned for. I knew what I needed.
Then recently I found those cookies again. At Walmart.
I finally found what I had yearned for, and attempted. With each attempt falling short.
Those imperfections along the way had given rise to clearer understanding of my search parameters. Those failures along the way had not imbittered me, drawing anger against other cookies… those failures instead made me rejoice more deeply when I found the right cookies.
God’s people… we need a King. And the kings and leaders that Israel were given fell short. But rather than pout at those failing judges, perhaps they learned to yearn for the Right King. And when He was born, God-followers rejoiced. People like Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, the Magi, Simeon, and Anna said, like I did on Cookie Day… “FINALLY!!!”
And our failing leaders, in whatever sphere, give us the same opportunity. When our kings, and presidents, and congressmen, and mayors, and counselors, and pastors, and elders, and parents, and bosses fail us… look again to the King God gives us, and say again and again, “FINALLY.”
Jesus is the leader we need, and finally have.