– Scripture:

                           One More Time

They had him standing between the pillars. Samson said to the young man, acting as his guide, “Put me where I can touch the pillars that hold up the temple so I can rest against them.” The building was packed with men and women, including all the Philistine tyrants. And there were at least three thousand in the stands watching Samson’s performance.

And Samson cried out to God:
Master, God! Oh, please, look on me again, Oh, please, give strength yet once more. God! With one avenging blow, let me be avenged On the Philistines for my two eyes!

Then Samson reached out to the two central pillars that held up the building and pushed against them, one with his right arm, the other with his left. Saying, “Let me die with the Philistines,” Samson pushed hard with all his might. The building crashed on the tyrants and all the people in it. He killed more people in his death than he had killed in his life. His brothers and all his relatives went down to get his body. They carried him back and buried him in the tomb of Manoah, his father, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
He judged Israel for twenty years.

                                                  Judges 16:25–31 MSG

 – Reflection:

Samson was a man placed here on earth to help the Israelites. He was to Judge the others who were persecuting God’s people; where they were weak, he would be strong and stand in the gap for them. Like many of us men, Samson had the same problem. His flesh. It would lead him down a road that would have him placed in chains and tortured and laughed at for the rest of his time. On what was to be his last day Samson asked for the Lord God to grant him his strength ONE MORE TIME, he did and he buried all the tyrants and non-believers under the rubble with him. Even though it took his life he still asked for God’s favor over him.

Where do we go from here?

Even in our weakened state of the human condition, we can call on God and ask that we be granted his power to bring honor to the kingdom. Just like Samson, if we abuse it, it will be taken away, and we will have to pay for everything we set wrong without the strength of God helping us throughout. When you truly find out what you are supposed to do for God and can see the path he placed before you, it would be stupid to turn from that and do your own thing. Doing his work for others is what we are here for, and he will make a way for that to ensure you live well.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, we come to you on this day you created to honor the things and blessings you have placed on our lives. Sometimes, it feels as though what you have given us are burdens but you know better for us. Help us to keep choosing you each day and laying down our wants for yours. May we bring honor to your name and strength to the causes you have placed us at the head of. In Jesus’ name, we say. Amen.

 – Scripture:

                  Fighting Hesitation

Heber the Kenite had parted company with the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ in-law. He was now living at Zaanannim Oak near Kedesh. They told Sisera that Barak, son of Abinoam, had gone up to Mount Tabor. Sisera immediately called all his chariots to the Kishon River nine hundred iron chariots! Along with all his troops who were with him at Harosheth Haggoyim. Deborah said to Barak, “Charge! This very day, God has given you victory over Sisera. Isn’t God marching before you?” Barak charged down the slopes of Mount Tabor, his ten companies following him. God routed Sisera, all those chariots, all those troops! Before Barak. Sisera jumped out of his chariot and ran. Barak chased the chariots and troops all the way to Harosheth Haggoyim. Sisera’s entire fighting force was killed, and not one man left.

                                 Judges 4:11–16 MSG

 – Reflection:

Reflecting on this story, I wonder when I am reluctant to do what God calls me to do, just like Barak hesitated. When do I hang back? When am I silent when I should speak up? Though I reject the literal reading of this text, I can be challenged to be faithful in how I respond to God’s call. There have been several things I have hesitated with in my past, and now that I know them, I try to remember when that tug or push is happening to me. If I can act when he wants me to, all will be right for me and those I am to help or receive help from.

Where do we go from here?

The story is violent, and there is the use of war and all that. Reading and finding the message in the fight for me is knowing that a Sisera was going to try and sneak up on Barak and take over, it seemed. Well, GOD had an ace in the hole named Deborah, and she had alerted Barak of the plan early enough for them to plan for it. Barak didn’t hesitate when he was told of the plans of Sisera, had he, this story probably would not even have been mentioned. Act when GOD tells us is what I pulled from the reflection of this passage.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, please honor us with grace and grant us the courage so that we can fulfill your plans and serve you faithfully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 – Scripture:

                Lessons Come Every Day

These are the nations that God left there, using them to test the Israelites who had no experience in the Canaanite wars. He did it to train the descendants of Israel, the ones who had no battle experience, in the art of war. He left the five Philistine tyrants, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living on Mount Lebanon from Mount Baal Hermon to Hamath’s Pass. They were there to test Israel and see whether they would obey God’s commands that were given to their parents through Moses. But the People of Israel made themselves at home among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. They married their daughters and gave their own daughters to their sons in marriage. And they worshiped their gods.

                          Judges 3:1–6 MSG

 – Reflection:

Do you ever consider how God might test you? It’s a difficult thing to think about, I know. When hard times come, people say, “The Lord is testing my faith.” It’s hard for me to imagine God subjecting us to suffering as a way of testing our faith. To be sure, the concept of God putting the faithful to the test is certainly to be found in Scripture.  In the case of Judges 3, the test is not a challenging life circumstance but rather having neighbors. They were not supposed to become friendly and marry or become a part of that community that was already there.

 – Where do we go from here?

When the people of Israel were supposed to keep the Sabbath, the Canaanites were out conducting business as usual.  This must have been a challenging test for the people of Israel.  When they were eating matzo ball soup, the people of the world were enjoying cheeseburgers, low country boils, and oyster roasts.  That had to be tempting! GOD used the people that were left on the mountain as tests for his people. He wanted them to keep the commandments Moses and Joshua taught them for all those years. Yet they are blending in and not doing as GOD’s people should have, which should have been trying to help those who were worshipping false gods not to do so. Who in your life currently do you think is placed there to test your faith? How do you view you your relationship with them as it tests your faith?

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for the life you have for us and the expectations that we put on each and every day, embracing the work you have for us. It is those of us who are to keep your Word and be a light on a hill for those who are lost. We are going to continue to be that. We honor you with what we do and don’t do. It is because of you that we are safe in your arms. In Jesus’s name. Amen

– Scripture:  

                  Release It

So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

                                  1 Peter 5:6-7 MSG

– Reflection:

God puts promises and dreams in our hearts. We know that we’re going to get well and that our businesses are going to turn around. But God doesn’t tell us how or when it’s going to happen. Too often if it’s not happening the way we think or on our timetable, we get anxious and frustrated. Stay in your lane and allow what has been placed on your heart to come to the forefront.

Where do we go from here?

Here’s the key: Once you pray, once you believe, you have to leave how and when God does it up to Him. God’s ways are not our ways. Sometimes, it’s taking longer because He has something better in store. You have to trust God’s timing and trust His ways. It may not happen the way you think or when you had planned. If you’re trying to control the outcome and time frame, you’ll live worried. You have to release control. Release having to have it happen your way.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that You are in control of all the situations in our lives and You are fighting our battles. I let go of the worrisome, anxious thoughts that trap me in worry and discouragement. I declare that my trust is in You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.