Judges 13:24-25;14:1-3 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him, and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. When he returned, he said to his father and mother, "I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife." His father and mother replied, "Isn't there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?" But Samson said to his father, "Get her for me. She's the right one for me."
So Samson was born. We get nothing of his growing up years. We can assume that his mother and father have followed the rules set by the Lord. Especially since it tells us that the spirit of the Lord is now beginning to move in him.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could get that sign for our children: "Now the Lord is really stirring in her - she should stop pouting whenever you say no".
As soon as the scripture mentions that the Lord is stirring in Samson, he does something against the advice of his parents - he wants a philistine woman. For those of us that know the story of Samson, this works out to glorify God, but for Samson's parents - this did not seem like the decision of someone who has the spirit of the Lord guiding him.
Why is it when we feel called of God to do something - immediately we are tempted by outside sources. It's not always a blatant thing. You may be feeling that God is calling you to spend each morning in quiet time with Him - but as soon as you make that commitment, the dog starts barking at 4:00 a.m. and you have to go take him for a walk. You feel God call you to give money to a needy family and your dishwasher breaks down - requiring you to spend more money that you had planned. You feel led to start participating in a woman's bible study group in the evening and then find out that your boss is going to need you to work overtime for the next month.
It comes down to this - God is not going to ask you how often you walked your dog. He's not going to ask you how much money you paid on appliances. He's not going to ask you how much overtime you worked. He will ask you - Did you listen and obey when I called you to serve?
4 comments:
Hey, Dorothy. Yes, I'm in Muncie. If you want to email me your friend's name, I'll let you know if we know each other: lindacrowatcomcastdotnet. Funny that you should write about this topic today; I'm preparing something similar for Internet Cafe. Thanks for stopping by 2nd Cup.
First time visitor here. This post sounds like the story of my life. As soon as I decide to do something that God tells me to do, something happens to prevent it. Just recently I decided to give more to the United Way. Shortly after that, I was told that there would be no raises this year. I gave it some thought though and decided to give anyway. I know I made the right choice. I love the story of Samson.
This is so true and really made me think that I HAVE to pay more attention and be diligent to pursue Him.
"Did you listen and obey when I called you to service?"
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. And why the no? Fear. Fear is my simple answer to this difficult question.
And why fear? Why should I fear that I'm not going to have enough money to pay my bills, to buy the groceries, etc., etc.
God has provided for me when I had NOTHING!! Why do I sometimes think that He will not ALWAYS provide for me? Why do I have these doubts sometimes?
I can tell you why--it's Satan--creeping into my thoughts again. He's not as tricky as he thinks he is. He always uses the same tricks on me over and over again--and he always starts in my thoughts.
I've been purposely trying to take a walk in these nice autumn afternoons, and there I spend time with God--admiring the vibrant colors of the trees, the crisp fall air--and remembering that God created all of this and thanking Him.
Beth
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