June 8, 2010
Samson chooses to marry a Philistine woman. His parents don't understand this and ask him why he can't marry an Israelite woman. What they didn't know was Samson marrying a Philistine woman was part of God's plan. Judges 14:4 - "Samson's parents did not know that the LORD wanted this to happen because he was looking for a way to challenge the Philistines, who were ruling Israel at this time."
"Because he was looking for a way." Sometimes the difficult situations we face are ordained by God for a higher purpose.
Judges 15:14 - "The Spirit of the LORD entered Samson and gave him great power."
Judges 16:17 - "I have been set apart to God."
Judges 16:20 - "But he did not know that the LORD had left him."
Judges 16:28 - "God, please give me strength one more time."
Samson had been set apart. But when he gave up what set him apart God was no longer with him. When we turn away from God we are on our own. What a scary place to be.
Delilah hounded and hounded Samson until he felt he was going to die. When Samson called out to the LORD for physical strength, the spirit of the LORD entered Samson and gave him great physical strength. The spirit of the LORD would have given him great emotional strength IF Samson would have called out to him because of Delilah's nagging. Delilah had given in to the desire of wealth. She attempted to trick Samson over and over in order to further her own agenda. First using deceit, then manipulation, guilt, and relentless pursuit. Samson in a moment of weakness literally became weak. He did not seek God's help. But God wasn't done. In the end God's will prevailed. Samson killed more Philistines in his death than in his life.
Lord, help me to stand strong. I will not bend. I will not bow. I will not break. Hold On! Finish strong. Don't give in and don't give up. I want to finish strong. God used Samson even after he failed, but I don't want to fail. The key? Keep going to the LORD for His strength.
Next Entry: Judges 17:1 – 18:31
Samson chooses to marry a Philistine woman. His parents don't understand this and ask him why he can't marry an Israelite woman. What they didn't know was Samson marrying a Philistine woman was part of God's plan. Judges 14:4 - "Samson's parents did not know that the LORD wanted this to happen because he was looking for a way to challenge the Philistines, who were ruling Israel at this time."
"Because he was looking for a way." Sometimes the difficult situations we face are ordained by God for a higher purpose.
Judges 15:14 - "The Spirit of the LORD entered Samson and gave him great power."
Judges 16:17 - "I have been set apart to God."
Judges 16:20 - "But he did not know that the LORD had left him."
Judges 16:28 - "God, please give me strength one more time."
Samson had been set apart. But when he gave up what set him apart God was no longer with him. When we turn away from God we are on our own. What a scary place to be.
Delilah hounded and hounded Samson until he felt he was going to die. When Samson called out to the LORD for physical strength, the spirit of the LORD entered Samson and gave him great physical strength. The spirit of the LORD would have given him great emotional strength IF Samson would have called out to him because of Delilah's nagging. Delilah had given in to the desire of wealth. She attempted to trick Samson over and over in order to further her own agenda. First using deceit, then manipulation, guilt, and relentless pursuit. Samson in a moment of weakness literally became weak. He did not seek God's help. But God wasn't done. In the end God's will prevailed. Samson killed more Philistines in his death than in his life.
Lord, help me to stand strong. I will not bend. I will not bow. I will not break. Hold On! Finish strong. Don't give in and don't give up. I want to finish strong. God used Samson even after he failed, but I don't want to fail. The key? Keep going to the LORD for His strength.
Next Entry: Judges 17:1 – 18:31
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