MAY 13 - SAMSON & THE PHILISTINES
READ Judges 15
Samson uses foxes to burn the Philistines’ crops and kills 1,000 men.
INSIGHT
A list of the sins of Samson:
1. Fraternizing with pagans
2. Marrying an unbeliever
3. Disobeying his parents
4. Touching a dead animal
5. Murdering innocent people
6. Visiting a prostitute
7. Lying
We are often tempted to disregard the truth. We weary of being good and fighting
natural inclinations. But one look at Samson’s life reveals the consequences of giving in
to that weariness. We must wait on the Lord and have our strength renewed.
PRAYER
Give praise to God that He forgives our sins and uses us to accomplish His purposes despite our iniquities:
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
And faithful in all his acts.
The Lord is near all who call out to him,
All who call out to him with integrity.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
He hears their cry for help and saves them.
My mouth will declare the Lord’s praise;
Let every living thing bless his holy name
Forever and ever (Psalm 145:17-19, 21).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Out of the depths I call to you, Lord!
Lord, listen to my voice;
Let your ears be attentive
To my cry for help.
Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
So that you may be revered
(Psalm 130:1-4).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this
affirmation to the Lord:
Sing to the Lord, you his faithful ones,
And praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
But his favor, a lifetime.
Weeping may stay overnight,
But there is joy in the morning
(Psalm 30:4-5).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
Set me as a seal on your heart,
As a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death;
Jealousy is as unrelenting as Sheol.
Love’s flames are fiery flames —
An almighty flame!
(Song of Solomon 8:6).
Samson uses foxes to burn the Philistines’ crops and kills 1,000 men.
INSIGHT
A list of the sins of Samson:
1. Fraternizing with pagans
2. Marrying an unbeliever
3. Disobeying his parents
4. Touching a dead animal
5. Murdering innocent people
6. Visiting a prostitute
7. Lying
We are often tempted to disregard the truth. We weary of being good and fighting
natural inclinations. But one look at Samson’s life reveals the consequences of giving in
to that weariness. We must wait on the Lord and have our strength renewed.
PRAYER
Give praise to God that He forgives our sins and uses us to accomplish His purposes despite our iniquities:
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
And faithful in all his acts.
The Lord is near all who call out to him,
All who call out to him with integrity.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
He hears their cry for help and saves them.
My mouth will declare the Lord’s praise;
Let every living thing bless his holy name
Forever and ever (Psalm 145:17-19, 21).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Out of the depths I call to you, Lord!
Lord, listen to my voice;
Let your ears be attentive
To my cry for help.
Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
So that you may be revered
(Psalm 130:1-4).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this
affirmation to the Lord:
Sing to the Lord, you his faithful ones,
And praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
But his favor, a lifetime.
Weeping may stay overnight,
But there is joy in the morning
(Psalm 30:4-5).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- Greater appreciation of God’s mercy
- A favorite ministry
- Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer:
Set me as a seal on your heart,
As a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death;
Jealousy is as unrelenting as Sheol.
Love’s flames are fiery flames —
An almighty flame!
(Song of Solomon 8:6).