God Speaks
Samson’s Conception, Birth and Life Before Delilah
Verse of the Day: “The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the LORD blessed him,” [and] “(His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)” (Judges 13:24 and 14:4 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Judges 13-15:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Judges 13
1. God is the one who superintends pregnancies and the birth and raising of children as He chooses.
2. People ought to continually interact with God regarding His instructions for raising the children He gives them, as Manoah and his wife did.
Judges 14
1. God the Holy Spirit comes upon and empowers people in situations we may consider unusual or strange, as with Samson and the lion.
2. When people are acting unwisely, they often fail to seek advice from prudent counselors, as with Samson failing to consult his parents about the honey and the lion.
Judges 15
1. God often uses unlikely means and/or people to set His people free, as with Samson using the jawbone of a donkey as a weapon.
2. Some people, like Samson. are brash and boastful, but that doesn’t mean that God can’t use them for His purposes.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Judges 13-15?
O LORD God, You are the source of all life. You superintend pregnancies and the birth and raising of children as You choose. For reasons I cannot begin to understand, You have allowed both the practice of abortion (to end a pregnancy) and the development of invitro fertilization (to facilitate one). Please help people to interact with You continually regarding Your instructions for carrying to term and raising the children You give them, as Manoah and his wife did. Holy Spirit, You come upon and empower people in situations we may consider unusual or strange, as with Samson and the lion. Keep me so in tune with You that I respond properly in each situation. When we are acting unwisely, we fail to consult You or prudent human counselors. For example, Samson failed to consult his parents about the honey and the lion. LORD God, Help me to discuss everything with You in prayer so I can do things Your way, which is always best. You often use unlikely means and/or people to set Your people free, as with Samson using the jawbone of a donkey as a weapon. May I effectively use the weapons You have given me. Some people, like Samson (and former President Donald Trump), are brash and boastful, but that doesn’t mean that You can’t use them for Your purposes. Please continue to do so. By Your love, power, and grace, please draw multitudes of people into a trusting and obedient relationship with You so that we can all bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Judges 13-15? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will support, encourage, and pray with a childless married couple.
- I will ask God to clarify His instructions as to how I should live to facilitate raising a child God can use for His glory.
- I will be alert to and resist being tricked into revealing important (secret) information.
- I will avoid taking vengeance on my own when I am wronged. First, I will ask God what I should do.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.