Judges 14-16 [The Message]

Samson’s weakness was obviously WOMEN. It’s as if he could not resist a beautiful woman when he saw her. It was nearly his downfall. Nevertheless, God used his weakness to cause him to reap havoc upon the Philistines. In the end, Samson’s life was given up along with many Philistines when he pushed down the pillars of the house of a heathen god party.

God’s gift of his strength was given without repentance, but his abuse of his carnal nature led to his death. This is by no means an excuse to yield to your lustful appetites. God accomplishes His purposes regardless of our personal shortcomings. Our sins lead to our personal pain. If he had kept his morality pure, God would still have used Samson but with greater rewards to his memory. Imagine what he put his parents through.

Judges 13 [The Message]

God’s angel came to Samson’s parents and essentially outlined a formula for raising him to fulfill God’s purpose in his life. He was not to be raised in the same way as his friends. Although Samson’s life had some contradictory behavior, he DID some very special exploits with the gifts God gave him.

Children set apart for God’s service can’t do what every other child does nor go where every other child goes. Although they won’t understand it when they’re children, one day they will look back and say, “Yes, God used my parents and the strict upbringing I had to prepare me for my life’s ministry.” Their love and respect for their parents will grow.

Hang in there, parents. It will be worth it.

Judges 12 [The Message]

Jephthah was the commander of the Israelite army. He made a carnal agreement with God that he would sacrifice to God whatever came through his door upon his return from war IF God gave him a victory. Sadly, his beloved daughter came through the door to his lament He followed through with his vow. The cost was great … no doubt a grief he carried the rest of his life. Actually, the unwise vow never needed to be made.

Foxhole conversions and foxhole vows are probably never effective. It’s God’s grace (undeserved kindness and favor) alone that makes a difference in the way we live. Even our vows to God are really conditional upon how much grace He grants to us.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. [Phil. 2:13]

Judges 10 [The Message]

Countless times the Children of Israel were rebellious and turned away from God and did what they wanted to do. Then, they would get in trouble and cry out to God for help. He generally relented and gave them the help they needed.

His mercies are never ending. His love is perpetual. We don’t deserve Him but HE LOVES US!!!

Judges 9 [The Message]

Taking leadership or ministry authority out of personal ambition is a dangerous ploy. Such was the story of Abimelech, one of Gideon’s sons who was obviously very ambitious. He murdered all of his brothers save one to have the leadership all to himself. His plan succeeded until one fateful day when God finally put an end to his self-centered ways. He was attacking a group of rival leaders held up in a tower. As he faced the gate, a woman on the tower dropped a grain-criushing stone on his head and mortally wounded him. He was so humiliated that he asked his young servant to finish him off. So was the end of Abimelech, the ambitious usurper of power and authority that came from his own covetousness rather than from God’s anointing.

It’s generally only a matter of time before the ambitious meet their demise. They may flourish for a season, but God will not be mocked. There’s a difference between authority and Authority.

Mortal men cannot demote God’s chosen.

Judges 8 [The Message

Gideon, with God’s help, had just defeated the Midianites and the feared kings Zebah and Zalmunna. The plunder included gold ear rings that the Ishmaelites wore besides other valuable items. When Gideon returned to his people, he melted the gold down and made a sacred ephod which was NOT dedicated to God. The people all began worshipping it instead of God.

Sadly, it is so easy to wander away from God’s blessings and His precepts. Worldly success is one of the culprits that entice us away from a total trust in God. We think we can make it on our own and neglect our daily devotion to the LORD. Bad habit. This is why it critical to develop a DAILY reliance upon reading God’s Word and praying about everything.

Lord, we believe. Please help our unbelief.

Judges 7 [The Message]

Gideon needed constant reassurance to carry on his attack upon the Midianites. First, he needed the fleece miracle. Then, he needed to hear the enemy speak of their fear of Gideon. Propped up, he proceeded to obey the Lord and become victorious.

God will give you the confidence necessary to complete your mission. Just ask Him. King David asked for a token for good. Faith is the key. Read God’s Word to acquire more faith.

A young college basketball player recently had his best game. he scored 29 points to lead his team to victory. I asked him, “What was the key?” He said, “Confidence.” When his first 3-point shot went in the hoop, his confidence grew and he kept shooting. Bingo.

Judges 6 [The Message]

Gideon was another man whom God used, although He had to prop him up and repeat His message multiple times. In a sense, Gideon’s humility was good, but a heart of faith readily accepts God’s instructions and acts upon them quickly. The process of getting Gideon ready for obedience and conquest is detailed in this chapter.

I look back upon God’s dealings in my life and see similarities. A series of life happenings began giving me the self-confidence I would need in the future to step out in faith upon what I felt God wanted me to do. God knows how to have us ready at just the right time. He sees the beginning to the end of the process. Because of the way God worked in my life, I can give encouragement and support to young Christians who are beginning their faith journey

Judges 5 [The Message]

God raised up Deborah to be a judge in Israel. She is first mentioned as singing a duet with Barak to encourage God’s people. We see that Israel’s warriors were fat and sloppy with no fight in them. The young leaders saw the authority of Deborah and Barak and followed them. I personally have known strong women preachers who very capably pastored large churches.

Another strong woman was Jael who hammered a tent spike through the temple of an enemy king, Sisera.

God uses whom He will to accomplish His purposes.

Judges 1-4 [The Message]

After Moses, Caleb, and Joshua had passed, God raised up men and women to lead Israel until the kings took prominence. These were gifted leaders who were no doubt born with latent leadership, strong personalities, and gifts that separated them from everyone else. It’s my conviction that theses qualities were resident inside them from birth, just like oil in the ground. You can’t just wish there’s oil under the surface. It must already be there. Just drill for it.

These gifts can be used for God or used for self. Elvis had a big gift but used it for his selfish purposes. He lived to regret it and probably spent his later years trying to right his wrongs. One story relates that he told Gospel music legend Dottie Rambo of his regrets and encouraged her to keep on track with God, using her music gift to serve Him. Billy Graham was a country farm boy that God raised up to touch the world.

Parents who raise a gifted child have a special responsibility to cultivate them for God’s purposes.