The passage for today centers on Samson's marriage. Samson presses for an illicit union with a Philistine bride and later kills thirty Philistines to fulfill a foolish entanglement.
Read Judges 14.
It is a mystery that the work of God can be done through unclean vessels. There are souls saved through the preaching of unscrupulous preachers and instruction gained through the teaching of impure teachers. This is not the rule, but the exception. Nevertheless, it happens. Some people are strongly gifted and seem to see results regardless of their personal worthiness. This is certainly true of Samson. It is difficult to find a more unworthy vessel for the work of God. It is a challenge to decide if he wantonly disregards wisdom and the word of God or whether his decision-making ability is somehow impaired. Nevertheless, in the midst of his exceedingly foolish escapades, God uses him to bring judgment on the Philistines who have flaunted their godlessness.
1. Praise: Praise the Lord for His sovereignty and for the fact that He works His will regardless of the failure of His children:
Who is like You, 0 Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11)
Therefore You are great, 0 Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (2 Samuel 7:22)
Take a moment to offer the Lord your personal praise and thanksgiving.
2. Confession: Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
You have not dealt with me according to my sins, nor punished me according to my iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is Your mercy toward those who fear You; as far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:10 - 12)
Confess any personal sins which the Holy Spirit may bring to your mind.
3. Affirmation: As you agree with the will of God, voice your affirmation of His word:
You did not spare Your own Son, but delivered Him up for me, how shall You not with Him also freely give me all things? (Romans 8:32)
4. Requests: As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
5. Closing Prayer: Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now to You who are able to establish us according to the gospel and preaching of Jesus Christ . . . to You, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever Amen. (Romans 16:25, 27)
Memory Verse:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Prayer Theme