Yield to God 03.27.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday March 27, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 12-14 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read about Jephthah's victory over the Ephraimites; Israel under Philistine's control; Samson and his Philistine wife in Timnath. Today's message focuses on the importance of yielding to God from self gratification.

The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord once again and became slaves to the Philistines for forty years because of their sins. "And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years." (Judges 13:1).

During that time a child was born, "And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son."(13:2-3) His name was Samson, and unlike Jephthah, Samson had a godly mother and father who desired that their son be fully dedicated to the Lord. "And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol." (13:24-25). One can observe the marvelous manifestation of God's longsuffering and mercy. He will prepare us so He can use us mightily.

Samson was anointed of God from birth to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Eventually, Samson ruled as a judge. However, early in life, we see his disregard for his holy calling. He was given unlimited opportunities, but his life was filled with failure because of his self-serving desires. His first recorded act of unfaithfulness was friendship with the enemies of God. It seems that Samson was easily distracted with his own physical desires and satisfactions, as in Timnath, when he fell in love with a Philistine woman. "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well." (14:1-3).

All of us are tempted by the lust of the flesh to gratify physical evils such as sexual sins, drugs, alcohol, gluttony, and similar sins. Every day that we continue in willful sin, Satan's hold becomes stronger, and our chances of deliverance become less likely. Perhaps the greatest deceptive sin is presuming that the long-suffering of God will continue indefinitely.

Samson's life was filled with strife and vain glory, he tried to be somebody without yielding to God. The reason some try to be "somebody" is that they have not yet yielded to Christ as Lord of their lives. Their religion is too self-centered. Christ alone gives our lives value and meaning as He makes us a new creature. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5:17). Only in the measure in which we allow Christ to guide each hour of our lives shall we be able to truly fulfill His will. We are called upon to be separated from the world with a desire to fulfill the Lord's will. "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (II Timothy 2:22).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed through Samson, who, as a Nazarite, he was to be consecrated to God from birth to the day of his death (Judges 13:7). Jesus was also set apart and consecrated to God from birth to the day of His death on the cross. Unlike Samson, who often failed God, Jesus totally fulfilled God's plan.

Today's Psalm: 24:4-5
"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You know the longings of my heart. When I seek thrills and quick fixes to satisfy these needs I am eventually disappointed. You are the Bread of Life and the Living Water that satisfies the inner desires of my heart because You are the only One who can truly meet my spiritual needs. Lord, as I come today hungry and thirsty I look to You, for You satisfy the thirst and hunger with what I need to yield to You and follow Your will to victory. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a terrific Thursday!
God Bless,
Christina

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