Post by Woody Williams on Nov 1, 2024 7:04:22 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
----------
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
----------
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