Post by Woody Williams on Sept 27, 2005 8:35:07 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Judges 16:23-26, 28-30
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Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon, and to rejoice; for they said, 'Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.' When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, 'Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.' And when their hearts were merry, they said, 'Call Samson, and let him entertain us.' So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. They made him stand between the pillars; and Samson said to the attendant who held him by the hand, 'Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, so that I may lean against them.'
Then Samson called to the LORD and said, 'Lord GOD, remember me and strengthen me only this once, O God, so that with this one act of revenge I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.' And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. Then Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' He strained with all his might; and the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life.
Devotional
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In the end Samson remembers that he needs God and also that he was called to serve Israel as a leader. He cries out, "Lord, God, remember me and strengthen me only this once..." God does remember Samson and responds to his plea. If our strengths are linked to humility and gratitude, they serve us, others and God well. When we use our strength unaware of the danger of misuse, they can destroy us. Samson, David, Paul, Luther and countless others help us see the path of transformation. In them we can see how God can teach us true nature of our strength through an experience of failure and weakness. The heroes of the Bible are not those who have never failed. They are those, who in failure, discovered the redeeming and transforming work of God to lead them to dependence on God in direction and strength. Have you found a transforming and redemptive path out of your failures or weaknesses?
Prayer
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Teach me, O God, the true nature of strength so that I may serve faithfully. Amen
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Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon, and to rejoice; for they said, 'Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.' When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, 'Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.' And when their hearts were merry, they said, 'Call Samson, and let him entertain us.' So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. They made him stand between the pillars; and Samson said to the attendant who held him by the hand, 'Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, so that I may lean against them.'
Then Samson called to the LORD and said, 'Lord GOD, remember me and strengthen me only this once, O God, so that with this one act of revenge I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.' And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. Then Samson said, 'Let me die with the Philistines.' He strained with all his might; and the house fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So those he killed at his death were more than those he had killed during his life.
Devotional
----------
In the end Samson remembers that he needs God and also that he was called to serve Israel as a leader. He cries out, "Lord, God, remember me and strengthen me only this once..." God does remember Samson and responds to his plea. If our strengths are linked to humility and gratitude, they serve us, others and God well. When we use our strength unaware of the danger of misuse, they can destroy us. Samson, David, Paul, Luther and countless others help us see the path of transformation. In them we can see how God can teach us true nature of our strength through an experience of failure and weakness. The heroes of the Bible are not those who have never failed. They are those, who in failure, discovered the redeeming and transforming work of God to lead them to dependence on God in direction and strength. Have you found a transforming and redemptive path out of your failures or weaknesses?
Prayer
-------------
Teach me, O God, the true nature of strength so that I may serve faithfully. Amen