From: May 2, 2023
‘When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him’ (Judges 16:20 NLT).
Samson took God’s presence and power for granted, but when Delilah shaved off his seven locks, the power of the LORD left him. Samson didn’t even notice, until it was too late.
We shouldn’t wonder at Samson’s shortcomings. We can be just like him. When we step on the slippery slope of sin, we slowly slide away from God so gradually that we barely notice. We become so accustomed to God’s blessings that we forget their source. We get so busy with doing that we stop praying and asking God for power and direction. Then one day, we wake up and find ourselves in trouble, asking God where He’s gone!
He hasn’t really left us. We’ve left Him. We’ve forgotten Him. Yet, God is only a prayer away. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we attempt to move without You. We want to learn to wait on You and depend on You for all things. We know that You will never leave nor forsake us, but You will let us experience the pain of trying to live on our own. When we do, we realize our deep need for Your presence. Lead us this day and strengthen us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 2, 2016
This psalm of David begins with an introspective imperative that every detail of his life, both within and without, would live in a continuous state of worshiping God. Was there an area where David worshiped his own will or had found his desire focused on another? If so, he commanded himself to “let all that I am,” every part of my “heart,” be focused on praising the Lord.
Is there an area in your life today that isn’t in alignment with God’s will for you? If there is, then how can you truly worship the Lord? How can you bring only part of your heart, part of your life to Him in praise? This is half-worship, and God will not accept it. Stop being half-hearted in following Jesus. Confess your sins and “let all” that you are praise the Lord. Praise Him with your “whole heart.”
From: May 2, 2015
This is the first of seven “signs” that the apostle John recorded in his gospel. John calls them signs and not miracles because signs point to something other than themselves. On a recent trip to see the Grand Canyon I noticed “Grand Canyon” road signs all along the way as we drove up from Phoenix. Yet, we didn’t fly from NC to AZ to see these signs. We didn’t stop driving until we stood before the Canyon itself! Many during Jesus’ day were attracted to his miracles, but his true disciples saw them as signs that pointed to Him. Jesus turned the water into wine at a wedding in Cana. The master of the feast and the wedding guests were enthralled with the taste of the new wine that Jesus had made, but the disciples were focused on the wine’s Maker. The whole creation is a miraculous sign pointing to the Creator, yet many worship the former without recognizing the latter (Rom. 1:19-25).
From: May 2, 2014
This is the first of seven “signs” that the apostle John recorded in his gospel. John calls them signs and not miracles because signs point to something other than themselves. On a recent trip to see the Grand Canyon I noticed “Grand Canyon” road signs all along the way as we drove up from Phoenix. Yet, we didn’t fly from NC to AZ to see these signs. We didn’t stop driving until we stood before the Canyon itself! Many during Jesus’ day were attracted to his miracles, but his true disciples saw them as signs that pointed to Him. Jesus turned the water into wine at a wedding in Cana. The master of the feast and the wedding guests were enthralled with the taste of the new wine that Jesus had made, but the disciples were focused on the wine’s Maker. The whole creation is a miraculous sign pointing to the Creator, yet many worship the former without recognizing the latter (Rom. 1:19-25).