A YOUNG LION
Suggested Reading: Judges 14-15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Tomb of Lazarus is a traditional spot of pilgrimage located in the West Bank town of al-Eizariya, identified as the biblical village of Bethany, on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives, some 2.4 km (1.5 miles) east of Jerusalem. The tomb is thought to be the site of the miracle recorded in the Gospel of John in which Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. This first photo is of the street level entrance to the tomb - see three more images at the bottom of this blog that will take you down into the tomb itself.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 14:5 & 6a
So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise a young lion came roaring against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him.
The Apostle Peter warns us that our “adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (read 1 Peter 5:5-9). This is advice to younger people. Sampson needed this counsel. While he won this fight with a lion, he was already on the path of poor choices. His mother and father knew this but did not stand in the way of their son’s desires. Of course, God knew that this would start Sampson on his road to deliver Israel from the latest oppressor. God often allows us to go our own way, and in doing so, advances His ultimate purpose. God desired to respond to the the cries of His people for deliverance. Sampson desired a wife who did not know God. God could’ve accomplished His purposes in different ways, but He chose to work within Sampson’s free will decisions. How can we line up our decisions with His?
Psalm 37:4 tells us, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we want only what He wants. His delight becomes our delight. Thus we have the desires of our hearts and do His will at the same time.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I desire to do Your will at all times. I delight in You! You are my joy! Therefore I ask for Your guidance in my decisions. I am confident, going forward, that You are directing me into Your plan for me. Thank You Lord! In the Name of Jesus, the One who always delighted to do Your will, I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I found it interesting that my son would choose to share with us the photographs he took of the tomb of Lazarus, the tomb into which Jesus spoke the words, “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:19-44). Yes, Sampson was a great champion of Israel, but our Great Champion, the Lord Jesus Christ, is Lord of all. He has defeated death, the last enemy of every human being. He has brought us deliverance, not just for 20 years, but for ever and ever.
It’s about 30 years ago that a Dr. Eby was a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast. He was already an old man. He held the record for being the obstetrician who had delivered more babies that anyone else. I was impressed. He told us of his experience while in the tomb of Lazarus. He had a vision of the risen Christ, and his life was forever changed. I have never had such a vision, but I know that Jesus is right here, right now! This knowledge changes me for the better every day. I’m not sure I can find the video of Dr. Eby’s testimony, but if I find it, I’ll post it here some day.
Yours to help us delight ourselves in the Lord,
David
The long staircase down into the tomb area of Lazarus' Tomb.
The light at the bottom of the image is actually the entrance to the tomb.
A view from the back of the tomb towards the stairs that Lazarus would have walked up to get to Jesus.
1 Corinthians 10:14 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (NKJV)
sorry … make that, 1 Corinthians 10:13
Thank you once again David for your words this A.M.
Amazing photography Reynold of the tomb of Lazarus.
Psa. 37:4
D…Daily
E…everything
L…laid
I… in
G…God’s
H…hands
T….triumphantly
Praying that you will have increased strength today David,
and that God would grant to you and Norma-Jean the desires
of your hearts. Blessings on the ministry of Crossroads today
and may many receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Thank
You so much for your example of stepping out in faith and
trusting God to do the impossible…and we see the faithfulness
of God thru every mountain that you faced. I praise God and
thank him for your ministry.
Well, it is hard to imagine eating honey from a lions carcass, then taking it home and sharing it with my parents, not telling them where I found it! However, it ultimately lead to Sampson’s leadership and deliverance for the Israelites. It is so true, how God unveils destiny in the strangest ways and circumstances. I suppose we can all relate looking back on our own lives. I too would like to see Dr Eby’s interview on 100 Huntley Street. Here is another seven part series interview with Dr Eby, which looks interesting from what I’ve seen so far. Have a great day!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kkbICdCaYz8&feature=relmfu
Enjoyed this link David, thank-you.
Well I ave responded to your emails more than to anything or only one else as in the last 35 years!!!!! Thankyou mr.and nerd Mainse Thank you! keep up the Lords work ! You are giving so many of us continued hope and joy no matter how insane the world is becoming!!!!!!!!
This was a powerful reading. I really hope you are able to find the video of the doctor’s experience of Christ in the tomb of Lazarus! Thank you.
Thank you for the scripture reading, I enjoyed listening and being able to following along in the scripture words. Thank you Faith for the acrostic on the word delight and Scott your scripture reference. David thankyou for the youtube sight. God bless everyone.
Thank you David for your personal thoughts I can’t imagine eating huney that way either the link it was amazing hearing the interview thank you Scott.
and the pictures bring us right close to where Jesus was they are beautiful
God Bless you
Lianne Hogg
As I was reading these chapters, the word “compromise” came to mind. We are seeing Samson on that path!
It is also easy for a believer to take those steps.
My prayer is, “please Lord keep me from making small compromizes, as they can lead to disobedience”
Wishing you al a good and godly day!
Thank you for the good explanation of today’s reading, David. May the Lord grant you strength, joy and peace this day. Is a beautiful sunny day here.
Thanks, Ger, for correcting my error on the post to Christine, yesterday. I guess I still had Catherine’s name in my head from previously commenting on her post. Bless you!
I really enjoyed reading about Samson, today and how God made his life an example. Samson used his own will over the Lord’s in choosing his wife, which set everything else into motion. But the Lord still used him for His purposes and gave Samson strength every time something seemed insurmountable–“and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him.” First to conquer the lion; then to kill 30 men for their clothing & apparel to keep his word re: the riddle; then to free him and kill the 1000 men with the jawbone of a donkey. Samson was truly a man who kept his word and God delivered him when he needed it. There is so much to this.
Thanks for the awesome photos, today, Reynold. The cave of Lazarus is incredible–just to imagine that it was carved out of stone is mind blowing. To see Jesus and Lazarus there is even more so. God is so amazing!
l pray the Lord grant you a Happy Valentines Day with your sweetheart Norma-Jean. Have a wonderful day together! Regarding the reading for today,l have to admit that to me Samson seems like a crazy man,and although God used his crazy temperament l found it hard to read. However l am so comforted by Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,in all of YOUR ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths. l have these verses on a plaque above my fireplace in a place of honour, l can’t tell you how many times it has ministered to me! God is so good!
Christine, Proverbs 3:5-6 is my favourite scripture, too. I can’t tell you how many times I have called on it. At first, I had the same reaction to Samson as you did. He seemed like a wild bull that went crazy, again and again. But because his strength to conquer was provided by the Spirit of the Lord that came mightily upon him, that’s why I saw him differently. God bless you!
Thank you Beverlee for your prayers. We feel the prayers of our fellow saints and as I rest in His arms I am strengthened. What amazing pictures today and one cannot imagine being buried so far below the earth. I believe our Lord still performs miracles every day and there may be one just around the corner for David. Thank you for everyone’s comments and scripture verses.
Praying everyone will have a wonderful day! God bless.
We are given desires for health, happiness,peace,prosperity, love, abundance and are not mocked for these desires. Hunger and thirst are given to us not to mock us The means to satisfy our thirst and access for necessary food for preservatiion are made available. Every problem has a solution and every question an answer. Through silence, quietness and peace the Holy Spirit is our answer supplying everything needed to lead a full and happy life.
Dear Pastor David,
We are so encouraged by your strong commitment to the Lord and your heavy burden for our country. As a chaplain for the RCMP, I share your burden and concerns for our great country! Thank you for your faithful commitment to our Lord, your family, and our country! May our Precious Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ extend your life and expand your influence and impact in these last days before His return.
Love and prayers,
Pastor LaMont and Di Schmidt