Devotion:
Read Judges 13:1-5.
Starting verse 1 with the word “again” reminds us that turning from God was nothing new. Israel had been through this cycle of disobedience, discipline, despair and deliverance many times before. Israel is in such bad shape; they are not even crying out for deliverance anymore. Yet God will always forgive and deliver them. God is faithful even when we are not. Israel got comfortable in their slavery, just as we can get comfortable in our sin and distancing ourselves from God. Samson’s story begins with a promise to his parents that they will give birth to a son who will begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines. The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are sterile and childless, but you are going to conceive and have a son.”
God had a specific purpose for this child as the directions were given in verses 4 and 5 for the parents. “Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth. He will begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.” You might wonder, why didn’t God help them earlier? God had great plans for their son, but it had to take place in God’s time, not theirs. This helps us understand why God does not always answer our prayers right away. When we are waiting, know that God loves you and cares for you, but he is also working out his greater purposes.
Personal Worship Option:
God, thank you for giving us the grace that allows us to come back to you again and again when we pull away and sin. Thank you for forgiving us and being patient with us. We are so grateful that your love for us is unending. Help us stay connected to you. Amen.
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