Daily Devotionals

Judges 16

Samson was a he-man with a she-weakness. In spite of the fact that he was born of godly parents, set apart from his birth to be a Nazirite, and elevated to the enviable position of judge in Israel, he never conquered his tendency toward lust. On the contrary, it conquered him. Several things that illustrate his lustful bent may be observed from the record of his life in the book of Judges.

1. The first recorded words from his mouth were: I saw a woman (14:2).

Job 42:1–3

Could it be that you are beginning to feel the nick of falling rocks? Maybe the avalanche has already fallen and you’re more than a little desperate. Job is our model for staying faithful when life is reduced to rubble. How’d he do it? Let’s take a look.

First, Job claimed God’s loving sovereignty. He sincerely believed that the Lord who gave had every right to take away (Job 1:21). Stated in his own words:

“Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)

Job 1:22

Job could write about wounds. His words were more than patronizing platitudes and armchair proverbs. He’d been there and back again. He could describe intense inner suffering in the first person because of his own sea of pain. 

Psalm 90:12

Ephesians 5:15–17

I’m a sucker for time-management books.

Some people can’t say no to a salesman at the door. Others have the hardest time passing up a free puppy...or driving by a garage sale without stopping. Still others find it almost impossible to withstand the urge to gamble. Not me. My weakness is books on the investment of my time. Books that tell me how to replace being busy with being effective. Books that caution me to think things through before plunging into them. I often recall what Bernard Baruch once said:

Proverbs 3:21–22; Philippians 1:9–10

Discernment is essential. Undiscerning love spawns and invites more heresy than any of us are ready to believe. One of the tactics of survival when facing “the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16) is to make certain we have cinched up the belt of truth rather tightly around ourselves. And what helps us do battle with the enemy also strengthens us in relationships with friends.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

There is a Persian proverb that sounds more like a tongue twister than sound advice. My high school speech teacher had us memorize it for obvious reasons:

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child; teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise; follow him.

2 Timothy 2:1–2

Our world is full of folks who dream about making something of their lives. But that private dream can remain dormant without a personal boost.

Jude 1:20–21

An old marine buddy of mine came to know Christ after he was discharged from the corps. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard about it. Back when we were in the same outfit, he cussed loudly, drank heavily, chased women, loved weapons, and hated chapel services. Back then he and God weren’t on speaking terms. Then—miracle of miracles—through a chain of events too lengthy to describe, the guy was converted.

I’ll never forget the day we ran into each other. He put his hand on my shoulder and sighed:

Habakkuk 2:19–20

Most noises in church don’t bug me. I’ve heard ‘em all.

People snoring. Babies crying. Rain falling. Crickets chirping. Sound systems popping. Toilets flushing. Offering and communion plates dropping. Sirens screaming, and cars speeding by outside. Kids yelling, and cell phones ringing inside. Hymnals hitting a bunch of piano keys. Organists standing up on a foot full of bass notes. Coughing. Sneezing. Blowing. Laughing. Crying. Shouting. Whispering. Gasping. Yawning. Clapping.