Daily Manna
The Birth Of A Deliverer
Monday, October 23, 2023
Key Verse
“And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him” (Judges 13:24).
TEXT — Judges 13:15–25
Message
John Wesley wrote the following letter from his deathbed to William Wilberforce to encourage him in his prolonged fight against slavery in England: “Unless the divine power has raised you up… I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that abominable practice of slavery, which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? Go on in the name of God, and in the power of His might”. Samson was the last of the judges of Israel. He was a leader with prodigious strength derived from divine anointing placed on him by God.
From our text, Samson was commissioned to deliver Israel from the domination of the Philistines. His conception was announced by an angel, and he was born at a time when Israel’s reproach was at its peak. As part of preparations for his birth, the angel restricted his mother from consuming grapes or anything intoxicating. The child was to be dedicated as a Nazarite from his birth. His hair was not to be cut; and he was to be set apart for the exclusive use of God.
That things did not go well with Samson as planned was not the fault of God, but his. Whenever things go wrong, we should not blame God but man, for God is faultless. Samson was to deliver his nation from the Philistine dominion through the enormous strength given him by God; but he was carried away by his own lusts and intemperate actions and lost his hair and the power of God. When he repented as his hair grew again, God restored his power to do exploits.
Gift without purity is dangerous. Strength should combine with wisdom. A holy call cannot deliver an unholy person. We fulfil our purpose on earth through obedience to God and His word.
Thought for the day
Power without purity is dangerous.
BIBLE
in one year
JEREMIAH 5 – 6
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