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.
Powerful scripture reading, this morning. Betrayal, and the power of God to restore. We fall on our knees, in repentance to You, our gracious Lord. We ask for forgiveness, for all the times we have strayed from You, and failed to be worthy examples of Christians. We give thanks for Your undying love and sacrifice for us. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen. Happy Family Day fellow saints in the Lord.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2 NKJV
Graham Kendrick – Restore O Lord (written w/ Chris Rolinson) with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WjtMd2alZc
P.S. Lyrics come up at the very bottom center of the screen.
Amen to your prayer and song Beverlee.
Thanks Beverlee for the Restore song. I couldn’t see the words, however. I’m on my Apple smart phone so maybe doesn’t have that feature. “Bible Discovery TV” today emphasized a prayer asking Jesus to return again. I also feel that His return is near. Expecting a lot of snow coming down on top of a lot we already have (in West Hamilton). Take care all.
Thanks Beverlee for your post.
Thanks Beverlee for your post. I know I often need forgiveness and I am so thankful that the Lord is always ready to forgive or slips and falls.
Happy Family Day everyone, and blessings to all bloggers.
Amen Beverlee, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings to you and all who are posting today.
“Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so!
Little ones to Him belong;
We are weak, but He is strong!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so!”
Thank You, Lord God, for loving all people. Open people’s eyes, ears, and hearts to the Truth. Bless all Your children today – help each one turn back to You and see that You have been faithful all along. Help us to be about Your business today, Lord, serving You in all we do. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
Amen
Amen.
I have been singing Jesus loves me a few times lately. Then you posted it, Rob. So blessed.
A blessed ‘Family Day’ to all bloggers.
Rob’s (Jesus loves me) reminds me of:
Jesus loves the little children of the world
Brown and yellow, black and white
All are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the children of the world
Thank you Beverly k for your very powerful posting today’s reading yes is very sad not only the verse but also the story but think but thank you to our God who is in the restoring according to John 3:16 when we come to God and sincere repentance he will sincerely forgive us God bless all bloggers today and happy family day amen 🙏😀♥️
Thanks Rob for your prayer today.
My great-grand-Son, Colton turned 1 yr.,old on Feb.10
In his birthday card I wrote the words to Jesus Love Me
My heart aches for our young families today that are not bringing up their children to attend Sunday School and having the opportunity to learn so many of these beautiful and powerful songs.
Thankful,that the churches are opening up next Sunday (Sudbury) to Worship our Lord and to come together as a church family once again.
Our church was open on Sunday, Karen. It was great to worship with everyone and have a live sermon. Enjoy your upcoming Sunday.