OCTOBER 16

Judges 13:24; 16:20, 21

                               SAMSON

An angel of the Lord appeared and promised Manoah & his wife a son. Today’s reading tells us that “the child (Samson) grew, and the Lord blessed him.” Samson grew up well. But as he grew up, he loved himself more than God. He was blessed by God with phenomenal strength, but eventually, trusted more in the strength than in the Giver of that strength. He wanted his own way and so sinned against the Lord many times. In the end he even lost his eyesight due to his disobedience (Judges 16:20-21).

Dear reader, you may say you believe in the Lord and attending Sunday School every Lord’s Day. But when you grow older, would you remain faithful? When you become a teenager, would you stray from Jesus?

Are we possibly like Samson, who loved making himself happy rather than making God happy? How to make God happy? By reading and obeying His Word! Or are we like Samson, trusting in some gift God gave than in the God who gave? Some of you may be good in your studies. Or play some musical instrument well. Or think you are good-looking. Or come from a wealthy family. The list goes on... Whatever the Lord may have given to you, make sure these gifts do not replace God’s place in your life.

You must try to love Him and His word more each day. This way, you will not only start well, but end well, following the Lord all the way to Heaven. How? Would you know this familiar song?

Read your Bible. Pray every day (repeat 3 times).
Read your Bible. Pray every day.
And you’ll grow, grow, grow (repeat 3 times).
Read your Bible. Pray every day. And you’ll grow, grow, grow. Don’t read your Bible. Forget to pray (repeat 3 times).
Don’t read your Bible. Forget to pray.
And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink (repeat 3 times).
Don’t read your Bible. Forget to pray. And you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.

Thought: How much time do I spend with the Lord every day?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the desire to spend time with You and Your Word everyday. I know that is so important and I pray I may be faithful to it. In the precious name of Jesus - Amen.