Friday, February 15, 2019

RESTORATION

Today’s Reading: Judges 16

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Tel Lachish National Park. According to the Bible, the Israelites captured and destroyed Lachish for joining the league against the Gibeonites (Joshua 10:31-33), but its territory was later assigned to the tribe of Judah (15:39) and became a part of the Kingdom of Israel. In this picture you see an ancient wall of the Commander’s palace that has been excavated.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: Judges 16:20

And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.

 

Here is a very sad verse. A mighty champion of God has compromised himself. He has let down the standards with which he was raised and conducted himself in a way that would guarantee shame for him, his people, and most of all, his God. Here is a man who was unaware that the Lord was no longer with him. Defeat was inevitable. During his humiliating imprisonment, doing a job that an ox would normally do, he repented to God. That most often repeated verse in the Bible, “His mercy endures forever,” took hold. God restored His supernatural strength in Sampson once more.

If we wonder where God’s strength has gone from our lives, just look back and almost always we’ll find a time when we departed from Him. He did not leave us or forsake us; we forsook Him by going our own way. He’s always there waiting for us to return. The word, “repent” means, “turn around with sorrow for our disobedience.” Let us return to the crossroads where we went our own way, ask forgiveness, and make a new start.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You always did the will of Your Father. According to Your promise, You live in me. Therefore, I pray with confidence, believing that You are leading me in the way I should go. Keep me by Your grace on the straight and narrow path of consistent Christian living. In Your Name, Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As a teen I heard a preacher who entitled his sermon, “A haircut in the devil’s barber shop.” From the time I was a small child I knew the story that was coming. I would feel so sad for God, for Samson, and for all the people. And yet there was hope. I knew that with repentance, God would restore that which was lost.

A letter from several years ago stands out in my memory. A preacher from New Brunswick had turned away from God, left his calling, and gone into a life of rebellion against God. He may have had his reasons, but the letter did not tell that story. What it did tell was that one day, while watching the 100 Huntley Street telecast, God’s Spirit overwhelmed this old preacher, and he cried out in repentance and was restored to God. The next week, the preacher went to his ungodly son and asked his forgiveness for failing to live a consistent Christian life. His son forgave his Dad and together they prayed. The son came to faith in Christ. One week later, the son was killed in a car accident. I marvel at the grace of God. God knew of the son’s impending death. He brought Dad back to Himself just in time. Truly, God’s “mercy endures forever.”

Yours in celebration of God’s unfailing love,

David

Further excavations in ancient Lachish reveal many rooms.

7 thoughts on “Friday, February 15, 2019

  1. Riveting scripture, depth of God’s love, prayer, and message. Yes, truly, God’s “mercy endures forever.” Deep in His Presence, we fall on our knees, for our Father’s love, mercy, and forgiveness is so great, it knows no bounds. We are Your children, Lord, and humbly bow to You. Be well, today, fellow saints in the Lord, with His Hand and blessings upon you.

    But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
    My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
    I cried to the Lord with my voice,
    And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
    Psalm 3:3 NKJV

    Came to My Rescue- Hillsong United with lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBUZrv5CYb8

    • Well said,Beverlee.Thank you

      Inspired by Psalm 73:24-25
      With wise counsel Thou will guide me
      ‘Til in glory Thou make me free,
      For Who in heaven have I but Thee
      And with no mortal I choose but with Thee to be.
      (G.W.)Bill Marshall/Oct 09, 2015

  2. Thank you for praying yesterday. I passed my drive test (which is a necessary privilege for me in order for me to stay in my home). Thanks again.

  3. Love the verse, “And Samson’s hair began to grow again.” Thank God there is restoration in Him if one repents and seeks the Lord’s path again. Going out to plan our part in the World Day of Prayer. Snow coming again and rain. Be safe saints!

  4. I am so Blessed to have found this prayer line. I was searching for a prayer partner who could minister to me. I have been truly blessed with every prayer partner who stood in the gap for. Thank you so much

  5. We all need to repent.Repenting is like a reboot where we correct our mistakes and this correcting changes our character with humility.Humility is the key to surrendering to the Holy Spirit.”We must become less so that He can become more.”…Yall have a great day

    Back To The Garden

    I want to go back to the garden,
    Back to before sin knew it’s name;
    Before hearts of stone would harden,
    For then,Lord,our hearts were the same.

    Father take me back,if only in dreams,
    To Your world where love was to blossom,
    Where birds sang beside mountain streams,
    And the beauty that grew was so awesome.

    Show me this secret garden of yours,
    Where I can be free from my sin,
    Where the angels keep open doors
    And time was not free to begin.

    Show me the way to the garden path,
    For too long my garden sprouts sin,
    So let Your fire burn free your wrath
    To build a new heart from within.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / 21 Feb, 2014

  6. Thank you to all who have offered prayers and advice for Alana. I will pass on the advice to her parents and encourage them by letting them know you are praying.

    Blessings on each and everyone of you!

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