Day 95 – April 5

Today’s Tasting: Judges 16–18 (NLT): While he was judge over Israel, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the valley of Sorek. The rulers of the Philistines offered to pay her eleven hundred pieces of silver if she would get Samson to tell her the source of his strength.

“So Delilah said to Samson, ‘Please tell me what makes you so strong and what it would take to tie you up securely’” (Judges 16:6).

At first Samson made fun of her and made up stories about how he could be robbed of his strength. But she continued to nag him until finally Samson was sick of it, and shared his secret with her.

“My hair has never been cut,” he confessed, “for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else” (Judges 16:17).

Delilah realized he had finally told her the truth, so she told the Philistines. While Samson slept, she had his head shaved. When Samson awoke, he tried to escape but his strength was gone. He was blinded by the Philistines and put in prison. While he was in prison, Samson’s hair grew back and his strength returned, but the Philistines did not realize it. They threw a great feast and sent for Samson to entertain them. Instead he pushed down the pillars of the building, killing himself and more than three thousand people who were there. So Samson killed more Philistines at the end of his life than he had during his lifetime.

Today’s Nourishment: When we put ourselves in places where we should not be or hang around activities that we should not take part in, it costs us a lot. Samson fell in love with a woman who belonged to a people who were known enemies of Israel. Instead of leaving when Delilah tried to trick him, Samson continued to hang around her. In fact, you can see his arrogance in the way he reacted to Delilah’s attempts to trick him. He was given several chances to see that she meant evil for him but he stayed. After his head was shaved, his strength left and it appeared as though his enemies had triumphed.

However, all was not lost. In Judges Chapter 14, Samson’s parents had told him to find a wife among his own people. In other words, he was told to associate with people of like mind, and steer clear of those with other beliefs. Does that sound familiar? The lesson we can learn from Samson is that we are human—with desires that can get us into trouble. But we can overcome them through our obedience to God. Had Samson been obedient to his parents his story would have ended differently.

Although we have no control over other people, we do have control over the choices we make that shape our own lives. We have to consider the consequences of our disobedience. Never be afraid to move people, places, or things out of your life. When God reveals the intent of people toward you, consider it and act accordingly. Seek wisdom and discernment in order to understand what influences the people around you are having on your life.

Consider this:

Are there any people who God has asked you to remove from your life?

Are you going to places where you feel uncomfortable or where you do not belong?

Is there anyone who seems close to you but betrays you repeatedly?

My prayer for you is that Jesus, our risen Lord and God grant you discernment, clarify your vision, and allow you to operate in a way that brings Him glory every day. “The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you!” Celebrate His resurrection on this Resurrection Sunday. Now, He is your power and strength!

Tomorrows Tasting: Judges 19–21

 

Sonyita S. Connor-Clemons

Website: www.totallifeprosperityllc.com

Email: sonyita@totallifeprosperityllc.com

Twitter: @sonyitais & @mastermoneymgmt

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