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
May 1, 2023
“When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the Lord blessed him as he grew up” (Judges 13:24 NLT). As one preacher described it, Samson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As chapter thirteen concludes, we have great hope in Samson’s future. Announced by an angel, the only child of
April 29, 2023
“Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the Lord. And he was grieved by their misery” (Judges 10:16 NLT). When the Israelites finally got rid of their idolatry, so that their deeds matched their words of repentance, God was moved to answer their cry. The description of the Lord’s response to Israel’s
April 28, 2023
‘When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted, “Listen to me, citizens of Shechem! Listen to me if you want God to listen to you!”‘ (Judges 9:7 NLT). Jotham was the only surviving son of Gideon. All of his brothers had been murdered by their half-brother, Abimelech. Jotham
April 26, 2023
‘Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”’ (Judges 6:14 NLT). The Lord told Gideon to go with the strength he had to rescue Israel from the marauding Midianites. But Gideon replied that he was far from being strong,
May 3, 2022
MANMADE RELIGION DOES NOT PLEASE GOD What a convoluted story this is! It begins with Micah’s confession that he had taken 1,100 shekels of silver from his mother, who had consequently put a curse on whomever had stolen it. When his mother heard his confession, she blessed him, and told him that she had dedicated
April 24, 2022
STOP THE MERRY GO ROUND! The book of Judges is marked by a repetitive cycle that makes it painful to read. It’s difficult to see generation after generation forget the lessons of their forebears and repeat the same mistakes. A vicious cycle soon becomes apparent: 1) Sin (Rebellion) – “Once again the Israelites did
May 2, 2021
HAVE YOU ATTEMPTED TO MOVE WITHOUT GOD? 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
May 1, 2021
JESUS NEVER DISAPPOINTS As one preacher described it, Samson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As chapter thirteen concludes, we have great hope in Samson’s future. Announced by an angel, the only child of faithful and doting parents, and blessed by God, the writer of the Book of Judges has more to
April 29, 2021
DOES GOD GET WEARY? When the Israelites finally “got rid” of their idolatry, so that their deeds matched their words of repentance, God was moved to answer their cry. The description of the Lord’s response to Israel’s true repentance is revealing. For it described Him as being “weary of Israel’s misery.” What does this