Daily Devotional July 30, 2010

Bible Reading - Judges 13, Acts 17, Jeremiah 26, Mark 12

Judges 13 shows us the story surrounding the birth of Samson. What is incredible is that technically Samson shouldn't have been born as his mother was unable to have children. Even then Samson was called and destined for a specific task. The Bible just says that Manoah and his wife were unable to become pregnant and had no children. They might have been praying for children, but the Bible just leads us to believe that it was just that matter of fact so I believe they had just given up on the idea. Though their faith might not have been there to have children, God knew Samson and needed him, so God intervened. He sent His angel to tell Manoah that they would have a child but this child would have a purpose so he would have to live differently.

I love this story because we all know Samson. Samson was super strong but the Lord had instructed his parents and him not to cut his hair because that was where his strength came from. Then along the way to his destiny of rescuing Israel from the Philistines he meets the dreaded Delilah that tricks him and she cuts his hair.

Too often I’ve read this story as a story about Samson when in reality it is a story about us. We’ve all been called and destined for a specific task. Read Psalm 139 and you will start getting the picture. Because God knows us and knows the purposes for our life he has set up guidelines for us to follow called the Bible. Often times though we get frustrated with it thinking that it is a book of rules and of cannots, when really we should change our focus. Rather it is a book full of key principles for success so that we may attain our dreams. Most would argue that Samson's strength was in his hair but I believe that it was more in his obedience to God to not cut his hair that was his strength. As we obey God and his principles he will give us the strength and determination to accomplish our goals.

We all slip up from time to time. After all Samson did let himself into a compromising situation which led to his hair getting cut, but the God we serve is a great God that wants us to fulfill our purposes even though we fall and stumble sometime and make stupid mistakes all hope is not lost. As we continue to submit and obey to His Word just like Samson our hair will begin to grow again so that we can achieve our dreams and fulfill our destiny.

Keep in mind today that you are not on this earth just to get by and suck air, but from the time we were born God called us for a purpose. As you seek him and obey his Word He will give you the desires of your heart that you might have not even realized were there.

Tomorrows Reading- Judges 14, Acts 18, Jeremiah 27, Mark 13

Live Life Extraordinary,

Alayna