“As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands. Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.”
– Judges 15:14,15
Samson was set apart by God to deliver his people from the evil Philistines, and in return for abstaining from touching anything deceased, drinking no wine, and not cutting his hair, he was endowed with incredible supernatural strength that enabled him to knock down buildings, tear apart gates of iron, and kill 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey. This made the Philistines rightfully afraid of him, and it caused them to think twice before coming after God’s people. Strangely, in spite of his superhuman abilities, Samson was constantly tempted to break his Nazarite vow — his fleshly appetites were just too strong. He killed a bear and reached into its stomach to take out a beehive and eat the honey, he threw a party and drank wine, and ultimately, he allowed a woman to cut his hair because he couldn’t resist her advances. In a sort of strange irony, though he had something precious and irreplaceable in his possession, he was drawn to the few things he didn’t have, and he allowed his desire for them to dictate his future. So appealing was the carnal culture of his enemies that the very ones he was sent to defeat ultimately defeated him. And so it can be today, if we’re not careful. Though divine power is dispatched through self-denial that sets us apart, our pride and earthly appetites open a door for Satan to slyly whisper that our best life is found when we gratify ourselves. My friend, in the final weeks of this trying year, remember that power doesn’t come from having more of what the world holds dear. In fact, too much of any good thing can become an encumbrance. As you set your sights on the future, consider what your Savior is asking you to surrender. When you willingly give Him what you think you want, He will give you more of what you truly need — love, grace, peace, joy, and supernatural strength. While trimming your life of fleshly desires may be painful, Jesus possesses the fuel that makes your heart soar, and He is able to pour out Heavenly blessings that far exceed anything you can secure in your own strength! |
Prayer
Jesus, show me what I need to trim from my life in order to inherit even greater power.
Reflection
In what area of your life might the Lord be asking you to do with less in order to gain more?
If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. PT on TBN or watch online at hourofpower.org/episode.
One Response
I want to gain the gift of better health for myself. So that by cutting back on eating ice cream for dessert every evening. My waistline will start to get smaller and my chances of getting type -two diabetes greatly lessened.I also want to protect my overall dental health by remembering to brush my teeth at least twice or three times
a day. I hope and pray that the Hour of Power will continue its mission of reaching out to the lost and hurting people all over the world with the positive and healing messages of God.To Pastor Bobby Schuller and his beautiful family that they continue to stay healthy and happy for the rest of this year and all of 2021.To the Hour of Power Choir and Orchestra and the two conductors Drs Irene Messalores and Mark Riley that all will stay happy and healthy and continue to bless all with their marvelous gifts of music and singing.To the worshiping community of Shepherd’s Grove at Irvine Presbyterian Church much love warm thoughts and many good wishes. To the Voices of Hope Children’s Choir and their director Sarah
Grandpre much love and appreciation for their glorious gifts of beautiful angelic harmonies.As always I remain a faithful viewer and Happy and Wholesome student in Jesus Christ.May God bless all and the entire United States of America