Don't Get Lost
And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
- Judges 16:20
When God gives you a particular strength, gift, or talent, guard against it becoming a weakness to you. You can reach the point where you say, "I can do this by myself. I don't need God."
Nebuchadnezzar made that statement and lost his kingdom (Daniel 4:28-37). Sometimes we lose our direction. We think we can do what God has called us to do without His anointing and His presence. Until we get out of the way, He can do nothing in us or through us. The power to accomplish great things for God only comes through His presence and anointing.
When Samson heard Delilah say, "Get up Samson, the Philistines are upon you," he thought, I'll just get up and shake myself as other times (Judges 16). I believe what follows is one of the saddest verses in the Bible, It reveals that the Spirit of God had departed from him . . . and he didn't even know it.
Only when we recognize our weakness can we recognize God's strength. Acknowledge the One who has made His overcoming power and wisdom available to you.
Lord, when I lose my way, bring me quickly back to my senses. Help me to know immediately when I have strayed from Your straight and narrow path. Help me not to look to the right or to the left but to fix my eyes always in You. Amen.
Further Reading
- Judges 16:20
- Daniel 4:28-37
- 1 Samuel 16:14
