Re:Verse passage – Judges 16:15-21 (day seven)
But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. vs 20b
There is a little bit of Samson in all of us. Maybe not so much the ability to wipe out an entire army with the jawbone of a donkey, but more so, we are like Samson in the orientation of our priorities. Many people might say that the sin that led to Samson’s demise was the 7th commandment, “You shall not commit adultery.” I would argue that the sin that most immediately led to Samson’s demise was actually the 1st commandment, “You shall have no other God’s before me.” The moment his strength left him was not the moment he slept with Delilah, but the moment he prioritized her above God. He deemed his ungodly relationship as more important than his relationship to God.
We may not be in an ungodly relationship or committing adultery (even though this happen more regularly than we might think according to Jesus) but we do choose ungodly things over God on a regular basis. Just look back over your week. How much time did you spend with the Lord? How much time did you spend on your hobby? How much time did you spend on your phone, tv, computer? Where we spend our time will show us what we prioritize. We are more like Samson than we might think.
Sad, but so true – and a word the church, especially, needs to hear in this moment. He has placed us in this time and place, and we are to draw near to Him so we know how to use our gifts and talents for His Glory, and in so doing might draw others near to Him.
Thank you, Rick – and the entire staff – for not shying away from the Truth and for not seeking to “tickle our ears.”
Sooo good, Rick…soo so true! Thank you for your truth! I am guilty of putting some things before God this past week!