Victory in Christ

Manoah is probably not a name you easily recognize, but what about his son, Samson? We know the story of how strong Samson was and that he lost his strength when his hair was cut off. Well before Samson became this strong man, his mother was approached by an angel who said “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.” (Judges 13:3) When she told her husband Manoah what had happened, he did what we all should do: “Then Manoah prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born.’” (Judges 13:8) We cannot expect God to send us an angel, but He will answer our prayers for guidance. That guidance will come with study of His word and living a life in service to Him.

Today’s reading: Judges 10-13

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At times it may seem like the evil ones of this world are winning, but God is and has always been in control. He works in His own time and His ways are the best ways. “And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.” (Judges 9:57) Paul thru his letter to the Romans tells us that we must let God handle these battles for us. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19-21) 

Today’s reading: Judges 8-9

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Gideon was about to lead his army to fight the Midianites. God wanted fewer men to go to fight so He could show His power. What method did he use to decide who would go fight? The first way was just to ask who was scared and let those people go home. The number of men remaining was still too many so He then narrowed them down by how they drank water. “So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.”(Judges 7:5) If you had been asked to choose 300 men to go to battle how would you have done it? I doubt any one of us would have used this method. We do not always understand exactly the reason He does things, but just like in this battle we see that His ways work out for the best every time. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25)

Today’s reading: Judges 6-7

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