151st Week, Judges 15-18

 

Click on title for Video Introduction

Monday, Judges Chapter 15

Judges 15

Verse 11b

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 11b:  He answered, “I merely did to them what they did to me.”

THOUGHT 

When life is motivated by retaliation, the consequences are usually painful. Responding to Samson’s anger, his intended father-in-law retaliated by giving away Samson’s bride. Then Samson retaliated by burning the Philistines’ harvest, and the Philistines in turn burned the bride and her father. (Gosh, and I thought we lived in some pretty bad times.) Then Samson did terrible things with his strength. Then the men of Judah became frightened and tried to get Samson out of the way. Had Samson been a spiritual man, and not just a fighter, he could have led them forth to a victory, but he preferred to work alone and not as the leader of a crusade for his people. He wanted to again take all the credit. And can you imagine complaining to the Lord then because he had no water?

Do you have anyone or anything that you continue to wrestle with trying always to be one up on them?  Would the Lord consider this a Christian example? It kind of reminds me of two special little girls in my life who love to play games. How many of you play ‘Sorry’? If you are sent back home, you can’t wait to get a ‘Sorry’ card to send them back home. 

Let’s all try to concentrate on keeping our attitude, actions, and words focused on God instead of ourselves.

PRAYER

Father God, please take vengeance from us along with retaliation. Give us Christ-like hearts and hand the vengeance over to You. Thank You for children and the special love they have to share with others in their lives. Please lead me in the thoughts and prayers this week.  We love You, Lord. AMEN

Tuesday, Judges Chapter 16 

Judges 16

Verse 28

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 28: Then Samson prayed to the Lord. “O Sovereign Lord, remember me, O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”

THOUGHT

This chapter holds the true story of Samson and Delilah. Delilah was indeed the devil in disguise. Oh, how she tempted Samson until she wore him down enough to give in to her request. Three times she went to him asking the truth behind his strength. The fourth time was the one where he gave in to her persistent request. For all his physical strength, he was no match for her, and he paid a great price for giving in to her. Her unfaithfulness to Samson brought ruin to him and to her people.

I can’t help but put myself in Samson’s place. We are hounded by Satan every day. How are our defenses? Can we stand strong and remain faithful to our God and Creator? We cannot allow anyone no matter how powerful or attractive to talk us into doing a wrong act. We need to avoid falling prey to deceit by asking God to help us distinguish between deception and truth.

God’s strength goes beyond numbers or physical might. He can turn an absolutely messed up situation in our lives and give us self-worth and importance. In spite of Samson’s past, God still answered his prayer, verse 28, and destroyed the pagan temple and worshipers. God still loved him. He was willing to hear Samson’s prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time. 

We cannot let guilt feelings over sin keep us from our only means of restoration. No matter where we are with God, He is ready to hear from us and restore us to a right relationship. We must share with all our family and friends that every situation can be salvaged if we are willing to turn again to Him. If God could still work in Samson’s situation, He can certainly make something worthwhile out of ours.

PRAYER

Father God, make us people that help others. Make us imitators of Christ Jesus Our Lord. May we challenge each other to be the best person we can be. Remind us each day to put on the armor of the Lord to defend ourselves against Satan and all his evil ways. Help us to always know that You are always there to turn back to when we lose our way. May we be surrounded by people who love You with their whole heart. AMEN

Wednesday, Judges Chapter 17

Judges l7 

Delores Little

THOUGHT

In this short chapter everything was done wrong.  We can see how a nation that wanders away from God can really fall to the lowest part of living an ungodly life.

Today, as in Micah’s day, everyone seems to put his or her own interests first.  Time has not changed human nature.  Most people still reject God’s right way of living. The people in Micah’s time replaced the true worship of God with a homemade version of worship, an idol.  Ignoring God’s direction led to confusion and destruction.  Anyone who has not submitted to God will end up doing whatever seems right at the time.  This tendency is present in all of us.  

In our sinful nature, many things right here and now can become idols to us.  I can see it in movie making and TV shows and the list could go on.  The people of the USA have put success, money, fame, clothing, cars, etc. first priority in their lives. 

PRAYER 

Father, forgive us for the idols in our lives and let us be rid of them.  Show us what they are. Bless us with Your wisdom and knowledge and give us a discerning spirit from You. Thank You for Your many blessings You have showered on us. Lead us to be the light for Christ each day. In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN

Thursday, Judges Chapter 18

Judges 18

Delores Little

THOUGHT

As I read this, I noticed the tribe of Dan was seeking a place of their own, and I looked back into Joshua 19:47 (But the Danites had difficulty taking possession of their territory, so they went up and attacked Leshem, took it and put it to the sword and occupied it.  They settled in Leshem and named it Dan after their forefather.)  If you read Joshua 19:40-46 you will see there were many cities that were taken, 17 in all.  

In verses 30-31 it says, “There the Danites set up for themselves the idols, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land. They continued to use the idols Micah had made, all the time the house of God was in Shilon.”

Notice they were using priests from Moses tribe of the Levites, but not worshiping in Shildon. This went on until they were carried away when the Babylonians took them all into captivity.  The Danites were worshipping the idols when the kings came along too.

Now, I am really going to throw one at you.  In Revelation 7:5-8 all the tribes are spoken of and the 144,000 are listed for each tribe, except for DAN. I don’t know the reason, but is it because they would not give up the idol worship they got into way back then?  Only God knows.  It does make us wonder though - doesn’t it?

In Ex. 20:2-5c it states the following: “I Am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,”

It is so clear to us that we should truly believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and make Him Lord of our lives each day.

PRAYER

Father, we love You.  We worship and adore You. We glorify Your Name in all the earth. Jesus, we love You.  We worship and adore You. We glorify Your Name in all the earth.  Spirit, we love You.  We worship and adore You.  We glorify Your Name in all the earth. Yes, we do love and adore You.  Lead us to live lives that remind others of You daily. Thank You for how You love us and take care of us through good and rough times in our lives. Bless each and every one this day and guide us all with Your wisdom, love and knowledge to do all You have for us to do. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN

Friday, Day of Prayer

Please Pray for the following: 

1. Our president and vice president

2. Federal officials

3. State governors

4. State officials

5. Judges - local, state and federal

6. Those who enforce our laws - and their protection

7. Our service men and women - and their protection

8. The families of all the above.