THE LIFE OF SAMSON PAGE 78

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a life of godliness

through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

II Peter 1:3

I watched a film last night about the Life of Samson, which the Bible discusses in Judges, Chapter 13.  It was intriguing to be reminded how this man was set apart for God’s service.  Through a divine announcement from an Angel of the Lord, Samson was to carefully follow a set of rules in order to fulfill the calling of a Nazirite. Because of this God's hand was on Samson’s life….but, when push came to shove he missed or misunderstood God’s voice and directive, over and over again. 

It made me think of myself, as I watched Samson mess up his life; miss obvious cues, and totally disregard his loved ones as they pleaded with him to rise to his calling or at least to the occasion.  With a human nature we are all familiar with, Samson chose to consistently flounder, to his own demise!

Even knowing that he was set apart by God, Himself, Samson, at times, quieted that power and then  inadvertently had to watch as his wife was murdered and his people were starved.  In the end, he literally had his eyes burned out of his head and finally died in chains; though he took down the Temple, the king of the Philistines, all their rulers and 3000 additional people in that moment (see Judges 16: 21-31). 

There were times in Samson’s life when he would finally wake up and understand what he needed to do…but it was usually when he found himself knee deep in trouble or neck deep in literal chains of imprisonment.  I wanted to feel sorry for the guy but with eyes of a 21^st century citizen I could easily see where he was going astray.  It was revealing to watch as the movie showcased Samson’s personality flaws.  Honestly, I felt the presence of the Lord and I was given a glimpse into the mirror; meaning, that certain things about myself, that seem so obvious to those around me, are sometimes blatantly oblivious to me.  This was the trait I saw most in Samson and recognized in myself.

Here is the life-lesson for me:  God could have and would have fulfilled Samson’s calling in many other ways and on many other days….IF Samson would have just listened, made wise choices and moved forward in faith! As Samson illustrated over and over; using wisdom is sometimes easier said than done!  My life parallel’s his in exactly this way!   

Interestingly, through this ancient story on modern film, I watched Samson’s life and a vision of my life flickered before me.  I saw my past and the decisions I’ve made… and where I went astray; I saw how God attended to me, like Samson, no matter what the circumstance.  He guarded me, re-routed me and went with me when I turned to the left instead of going right!  Down every path of my life God was and is fulfilling His design and putting all the puzzle pieces of His plan together, through my ever-changing mind and life; like Samson!

I saw God’s gracious patience for Samson and I felt blessed knowing that the Lord does this for me as well.  I saw God’s holiness as He waited, whispered and then showed up- always at just the right time- and with this I recognized my own salvation.  I saw how the Lord was ever-present, even when Samson felt alone and powerless, and how God compassionately showed up every time Samson humbled himself and prayed... and I KNOW for certain that God does this for me as well!

I PRAY that you can see how God works, using the life of a man named Samson, who's example comes to us from the year 1063 BC or so!  Let's don't chronically miss God's calling, as Samson did.  Spend time in reflection over all the things that God has already spiritually provided YOU.  He has given ALL that you need for a life of godliness, just as scripture promises in II Peter 1:3  

Learning about God’s consistent compassion through the story of Samson, we each need to be motivated to be consistent as well…and RISE to the occasion!  Certainly we need to pay heed to the Lord’s blessed calling on our lives! 

 Lord, may we know you, like Samson!  RvH

“Sow for yourselves righteousness,

reap the fruit of unfailing love

and break up your unplowed ground;

for it is time to seek the lord,

until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”

Hosea 10:12

”The Lord will open the heavens,

the storehouse of his bounty,

to send rain on your land in season

and to bless all the work of your hands.”

Deuteronomy 28:12

“Whether you turn to the right or left

your ears will hear a voice behind you saying

“This is the way, walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21

Song Recommendation

What Love Is This

By: Kari Jobe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzLRyZMKbb0

Seeing God In All Things Page 77

The Clouds say you’re whimsical

The stars say you’re magical

The sun says you’re powerful

And Lightening says you mean it.

Joy says you’re happiness

Laughter says you’re humorous

Circumstance says you’re ironic

And time says you’re management.

Spring says you are motivational

Summer says you’re recreational

Autumn says you’re revitalization

And Winter says you’re exhilaration.

The winds says you’re comforting

Rain says you’re refreshing

Nature says you’re artistic

And life says you are interesting.

The birds say you’re freedom

The firefly says you’re gleesome

The ants say you’re humongous

And the Holy Spirit says you’re anonymous.

Music says you’re inspirational

Rest says you’re habitational

A heartbeat says you’re rhythmic

And breath says you’re persistent.

Love says you’re the answer

Peace says you’re an anchor

Forgiveness say’s you’re the remedy

And Salvation says you’re an eternity.”

RvH

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

Night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

Where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

Their words to the ends of the world. “

Psalm 19: 1-4

Song Recommendation:

How Great Thou Art

By:  Carrie Underwood 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2T1csHUgF4

Submit To God's Plan Page 76

Jesus set the example on how to Submit to God's plan when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.  His prayer was.....

"Father, if you are willing,

take this cup from me--nevertheless,

not my will but yours be done."

Luke 22: 42

We know that the answer to that prayer was NO.  But, we tend to overlook that part of the crucifixion story or forget that the answer was no.  When we receive that very same answer we get discouraged, we fret, we wonder why we aren't getting a YES.....and therein is a huge source of life's pain. The pivotal point on prayer is this:  When we pray we must submit to God's plan.  This seems frightening to many of us....because "what if this happens".....or "what if that happens" becomes our mindset!  We can't imagine the end result not being what we want it to be!   Earthly fear makes that so!!!! But, remember:  

"God did not give us the Spirit of fear,

but of power and love and a sound mind."

2^nd Timothy 1:7

Scripture teaches that the Lord can take what was meant to harm and work it out for our good.  This is where our trust and faith gets tested.  We have to link our desires & plans with God's plan and be willing to trust that the God we serve WILL protect us (as the Bible teaches)....WILL lead us (as scripture indicates).... and WILL love us (just as Abba (our daddy) says He does).  If we do not tie our faith and trust together with our PRAYERS we will get absolutely NO WHERE when it comes to receiving answered prayers.  

Below is my edited version of bullet points that the evangelist Robert Muller (1805-1898) used as he prayed.  His understanding on prayer was a confirmation for me regarding the sound principle of "learning things the hard way".  Through trial and error, I find his bullet points of prayer to be spot-on.  Here is my understanding of his “Process of Prayer”:

·       Quiet your heart and mind by releasing all worry, stress and forced decision-making processes-so that your mind has no will or direction of it's own regarding the matter at hand.

·      Don't lean on feelings or impressions but draw close to the Lord quoting the Word of God (scripture), His promises to you (through scripture), who He says He is (through scripture) and who He says YOU are (through scripture). *In other words....know specific scripture that speaks to what you're praying about.  Scripture is God's Word, it is His voice and it will never contradict itself nor mislead you.

·      The Spirit of God (whom we communicate with via PRAYER) and the Word (scripture) must be combined. If you pray (which is a spiritual activity) and do not tie the Word of God (scripture) together with your prayers you open yourself up to be misled!!  If the Holy Spirit guides us at all....it WILL BE  in accordance with Scripture (what the Bible says) and NEVER CONTRARY SCRIPTURE!

·      Take into account providential circumstances! (WOW). These often plainly indicate God's Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.  

·      In prayer, ask God to reveal His Will to you (ask for a revelation, ask for an epiphany, ask for specific scripture to be revealed to you, ask for a providential circumstance!!!)

·      This final step is a direct quote from Mr. Muller:  "Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word and through reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace and continues so after two or three more petitions I proceed accordingly.  In trivial matters and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective."

"Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you"

Matthew 7:7

Song Recommendation:

Even If

By:  MercyMe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y