The LORD always knows the end from the beginning and He has always chosen people that fulfill His purpose. As we continue in the book of Judges, the Israelites again went off to serve foreign gods and their evil reached heaven and the LORD’s anger was once again kindled. This time, the LORD gave them over to the Philistines for forty years. As you read and study the stories of the Old Testament and the relentless belligerent attitude of Israel; there are really only two perspectives to embrace before God. It is easy to condemn Israel for their sin; yet my belief is that God has given us these accounts for us to see our own human nature, that; “There go I but by the grace of God.” We need these stories. Reading them brings us closer to the LORD and total reliance upon Him. It is easier to rely upon the LORD in times of crises, than it is to rely upon Him in all things; when we are in a time of blessing. Trials can drive us to our knees. During the times of abundance is when we need to remember God even more.
Deuteronomy 8:10 KJV When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
The LORD wants us to come to Him when we think that we don’t need Him. He wants us to seek His help and intervention in stead of relying upon our self. Any parent wants the attention of their children. Though we want our children to be able to stand on their own; we want them to share their lives with us on into adulthood. The LORD wants the same of us.
Proverbs 3:5 KJV Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
The LORD wants us to share our day; seek His help and guidance in ALL things, no matter how trivial they may seem to us. This is one of my own struggles. It is easy to run off in my own direction to do things on my own ability and talent. Jesus said that we are to become like little children before Him; that means to have the innocent trust for the LORD.
Matthew 19:13-14 KJV Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (14) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3-4 KJV And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
That is why it is so important to pray first thing every day in the morning and last thing at night before bedtime. Just as we want our children to spend time with us and to begin and end their days with us, so does the LORD. My parents raised us to hug and kiss them first thing in the morning and last thing before bedtime. My father spent an hour, first thing in the morning and an hour at night, just before bedtime, in prayer and meditation. We all need to focus on the LORD and what He wants us to do and how He wants us to do it. The more time we spend with the LORD, the more we will hear His voice. We can’t be lead away from the LORD if we are always in communication with Him through reading the WORD, prayer and meditation.
Proverbs 3:6 KJV In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths
The Israelites enjoyed the good times too much and relied on their favor, instead of relying upon the LORD. Cut just a few fibers on a brand new rope and it will slowly start to unravel. The little things count with the LORD as well as the big things. Life is all about building a relationship with the LORD.
A Child to the Childless
To a childless couple, the LORD appeared and made the promise of a son. Manoah, from the town of Zorah and his wife respected the LORD. The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and promised her a son. Specific instructions were given for her during her pregnancy as well as instructions for raising the boy. He was to be a Nazarite, a child dedicated to God from birth; which involved three specific life long requirements:
- Abstinence from wine and strong drink,
- Refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the continuance of the vow, and
- The avoidance of contact with the dead.
Judges 13:5 KJV For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
The woman ran to tell her husband of her incredible encounter. Manoah prayed that the messenger of the LORD would return and give them more instructions. This couple was obviously not one of the typical back-sliding Israelites; they were anxious to serve the LORD and had His favor! The Angel of the LORD returned and visited with them.
Manoah wanted to detain the messenger in order to prepare a meal and He agreed to stay but asked Manoah prepare a burnt offering, saying that He would not eat of Manoah’s bread. So a kid was prepared for an offering and when the flames came up from the altar, the Messenger of the LORD went up in the flames to Heaven.
Judges 13:19-20 KJV So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. (20) For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.
Manoah’s wife did give birth to a son and they called him Samson. As the child grew, the LORD blessed him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you work in wondrous ways. Help me to lean upon you in all things, to come to you as a child, innocent and pure, with excitement; trusting you in all things. Help me to be anxious for nothing; but to do all things prayerfully in the LORD, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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