Most of us prefer to live without constraints. But today’s chapter shows the consequences of giving in to our natural inclinations…
READ JUDGES 15 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
After moving to the borderlands between Scotland and England, we heard the history of the Border Reivers. In 1525, the Catholic Arch-Bishop of Glasgow wrote what could be the world’s longest curse …against the marauding Reiver clans! Incredibly enough, Carlisle City Council had a 14-tonne granite stone inscribed with the 1,069-word curse, against their region’s families. Bizarrely enough, they then set it up beneath the centre point of the city, to mark the millennium “celebrations”!
Today’s chapter looks a bit like clan fighting. Samson’s acts of revenge shows the consequences of liberal governance in a life that disregards his Maker’s word. Yesterday’s chapter, for example, showed obvious signs of his liberal choices[a] and, today’s chapter adds to the list! After committing extreme cruelty to foxes, in order to destroy food stocks, he gets his wife and father-in-law killed [v6], then risks a civil war. [v11] His excuse:
“I merely did what they did to me…” [v11]
Human nature hasn’t changed. We too may get tired of being good, or holding back our natural inclinations, when “ungodly responses” seem to thrive in our hearts. It seems justified still, when everyone else around us are into liberal thinking. However, one snapshot of Samson’s life, lived under liberal governance, shows how easy it can be to let go and, to spiral into oblivion. Read More? …CLICK on “13 May – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Finding it hard to connect with the God behind the script? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[b]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
Great and marvellous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your Name for You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed! [Revelation 15:3-4]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Pray for God’s GRACE on Egypt[c]
Your Country: Those caught in addictions
Yourself: Renewal of your mind[d]
Your concerns for today
Hear from heaven my prayer and my plea, Father God, and uphold my cause. [1 Kings 8:45]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Seriously, Lord, who (least of all I) can discern their own errors? Therefore, please forgive my hidden faults. [Psalm 19:12]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
You, Lord, live! Praise be to my Rock! I exalt You, God my Saviour! [Psalm 18:46]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[e] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: An Assured Future
Each one should use whatever gift you’ve been given to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace as it comes in its various forms. [1 Peter 4:10]
[a] Judges 14:5-9
[b] Matthew 6:5-15
[c] http://www.operationworld.org/node/168
[d] Romans 12:2
[e] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31