March 29, 2024

He could have been more

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Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on 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.
And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it.  So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.
Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father.  He had judged Israel twenty years.

Judges 16:28-31

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If you went to Sunday School as a child, you have probably heard this story. Maybe even got to put the characters on the purple felt board.  I do remember thinking that it was tragic.  How could someone who said that they loved someone, hurt them and betray them?  Now that I have lived a few 24 hours since then…I see that it happens.  Do you wonder what we could possibly learn from this story?  God always has a lesson, right? And this story is no different….

There’s Samson: his birth was announced to his parents by the angel of God, just like Jesus and John the Baptist.  He was chosen and set apart for big things.  He would grow up strong and would defeat many.  But he had a weakness…women.  And he had a secret—he could never cut his hair.  God had big plans for him to begin saving the children of Israel but his love for the things of this world kept him from doing the will of God.

Then there is Delilah: she was in love with him but chose greed and power over her husband.  She asked him many times what his weaknesses were and he lied.  She got angry and threatened to leave until he finally told her the truth—that he can never cut his hair.  You can guess what happened next (if you don’t already know)…she sets him up for failure and has his head shaved. But God gives him one more chance to show his strength; and Samson grew his hair back once more.  At their wedding, he gets his revenge and kills all who are there by pushing the main pillars that hold the roof.  Over 1,000 died that night.

This world is so full of temptation and things that can take us so far from God and His will.  If we don’t stay so close to Him and constantly remain in the Word, we just might stray from Him.  This world is our temporary home. Heaven is our forever place!  When our eyes look at the things of this world, and we start to place value here on things like big houses and nice cars, we can lose our strength, too, and become weak.  But all we have to do is look up and we find grace.  God forgives us and gives us chance after chance.  He never gives up on us.

We all are sinners and we all fall short.  Instead of judging each other, let us pray for one another.  Let us love each other like Jesus has told us to.  That is the best way to show our love for Him.

What are you putting value in today?  I challenge you to really think about it. It is never too late…God is always waiting!

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Let us pray: Dear Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your only Son to die in our place.  Thank You for forgiveness and grace.  Lord, I pray for those today who are hurting, and for those who desperately need provision, and for those who need healing.  You are the One Who can do all things.  Nothing is too hard for You.  Comfort Your children today, Lord.  Give them hope and let them feel Your arms around them today!  We praise You and worship You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Esther – Chapter 5:3-5

 

Esther 5:3-5

And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!”

So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

“We must keep our focus in check.”  I think this of my favorite line from today’s reading.  It is so true, but can be so hard at times.  I can imagine myself in Esther’s shoes, or rather sandals. Sitting on a choice, “Do I seek change for myself? Or do I seek change for my people?”  It would be easy to desire and pray for help for herself in this situation…for some sort of relief from the pressure that weighed on her shoulders. But instead she pushed forward with what God was directing her to do, and put the needs of her people above her own.

Like Darlene beautifully pointed out, this situation mirrors how we should approach our prayer life.  Our pastor told us this little saying yesterday, “Need versus Greed.”

 James 4:3

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

This made me think.  It’s not as if I’m asking God to help me find 1 million dollars lying on the street, but I may be asking God for a promotion at work.  Why?  To further His Kingdom or to further my own?  I may be asking God for strength to get through the day, and to accomplish all the tasks I have to do.  But why?  So I can look good in front of others or so I can do what He has called me to do that day.

I don’t think we intentionally say greedy prayers, but I do think that we should pay attention to our motives.  About a year or so ago, this topic was brought up in church—the topic of what motivates our prayers.  I continue to pray for my family’s well-being, for financial guidance when money gets tight, for restoration of relationships when they get rough.   I don’t think James 4:3 is addressing this.  But I did add a piece to my prayers, a piece that I try to pray throughout the day.  I ask that God would open my eyes to areas during my day where I could do His work.  I prayed that my family would show others His love, that we would see opportunities in which we could grow His kingdom.

I am a naturally greedy person; I think most people are.  Not in a hording/not sharing kind of way.  But in how it applies to our prayers.  I want to automatically pray for myself—for a good day for me, for peace for me, for wisdom for me.  The question that Darlene asks at the end of this section is not a condemning question.  I see it as a growth question; an opportunity to grow for the better, an opportunity to be more intentional in our words that we lift up to our Father.

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Let’s Pray:

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