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Judges 15:1-11
Message No. 0560 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca
In Judges chapter 15, Samson went to his Philistine father-in-law’s house and demanded to go to his wife’s room. Unknow to him, his wife had been given away to someone else, so Samson was outraged and was determined to deal with the Philistines with such pain that they would not forget in a hurry. After his action, he went and stayed in a cave in the rock of Etam.
Of course, the Philistines, many of whom weren’t even aware of the reason for Samson’s actions, were outraged when they heard the story and they went to encamp against Judah. Learning that the Philistines were out for battle, the men of Judah located Samson and asked him a very sad question. In verse 11, the Bible says:
Then three thousand men from Judah went down to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, “Don’t you realize that the Philistines are rulers over us? What have you done to us?”
Now, for God’s people to completely surrender to the rulership of their enemies is in complete contradiction to Exodus chapter 6 verse 7, which states:
I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
But why did this happen? Why did Israel come out of their bondage in Egypt to the land promised to them by God, only to subject themselves to the lordship of people who should be afraid of them? Of course, there could be only one reason for this: sin. Israel took God for granted, refused to completely drive out the inhabitants of the land as instructed by God, but instead, intermingling with them, marrying and giving in marriage, and to crown it all, adopting their gods and abandoning the Lord who did them the good that they did not deserve.
As God’s children, we often find parallels like this in our lives today. As Israel refused to obey God but accommodated people and things they should have no business with, we let down our guards sometimes by mingling with gangs we should have no association with and by partaking in things we should be fleeing from. The worst condition that a child of God could find himself in is a continuous behavior that God frowns at. Sin becomes a ruler over us when we are sunk into it, like submerging in a miry clay. Some are so submerged that they no longer recognize the Voice of the Holy Spirit talking through their conscience.
There is no greater danger to a child of God than when he or she completely accepts his or her sinful situation. At this point, those who should not talk to them will drag them on the floor and they will accept it. Things they qualify for will be denied them and they cannot complain. Just imagine Israel, God’s people, accepting the rulership of the Philistines over them; isn’t this shameful? But this is what happens when we accept sin in our lives; we accept shame and defeat and we surrender in situations where we should be winning.
Sin may be horrible here on earth, but the worst thing that can happen is when a child of God dies in his or her sins and misses heaven. The horrors of this earth are an unrecognizable child’s play when compared to the horrors of hell. No child of God, as a matter of fact, no human being deserves the punishment of hell, so why should anyone willingly surrender to a situation that can trigger this punishment?
I beg you, child of God, if you are living, winning and dining in sin, please take the off ramp today, because the destination you are heading to is not one that you will desire and there’s nothing on this earth that can compensate for it. If you need counseling and prayers, please talk to a pastor today, but if there’s anything that is of uttermost priority for you this week, it is to find an exit. Our God is merciful and is waiting to forgive and deliver you. You will not miss this opportunity, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Have a glorious week!
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PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!