God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Psalm 46:1-5
I go to bed almost every night listening to songs or praise and worship or the Bible on tape or CD playing. I want to fill my heart/soul/mind with the Word. With Him. We have much trouble in the land today….we need much strength for the journey.
It is very evident —- with everything that has transpired in our family in the past 3 weeks that more of the Word, more of the Spirit and more time in prayer to the Father is necessary for survival. I want no room for disobedience, nor straying thoughts or heart.
In my 46 years of life I have witnessed many things. Some good. Some bad. I have learned from the mistakes of others. I have made many of my own. One thing I have learned, and is also a statement my home church pastor has made many times from the pulpit: “Sin will take you further than you wanted to go; Cost you more than you wanted to pay; And stay longer than you intended it to stay.”
The following is lengthy, but from my heart….so get comfortable….
In thinking of the price of sin, Samson came to mind. Samson found out after much dallying in sin with Delilah, that sin would bind and blind you. And no matter how much you “shake” yourself, you cannot shake free from sin on your own. Only Jesus can set you free and restore your vision.
Samson was brought up in a believing home. Yet Samson became disrespectful to his heritage. He chose to disregard not only his parents wishes and desires for him, but he blatantly went against God’s commandments and law for His people. He was more concerned with his desires. The lusts of the flesh. And rather than use the gift of strength God had given him to bring glory to God, he chose to fulfill his own sinful desires.
Samson paid a high price for his sin. Samson was so full of himself that he had no room for God. He was so enthralled with what he could do – – he forgot the Origin of his strength. When he fell in love (or what he thought was love) with the evil Delilah—the very “employee of the enemy”—the trap was set. She probably wore a T-Shirt that, in sparkly letters stated: “I Always Get My Man”. Get him she did.
After four attempts, using every imaginable femine wile to get him to reveal the secret of his strength to her — she “got her man”. When he awoke to the realization that he was no longer the “man” he was, I believe he began to feel something he never felt before. Fear. I believe he began to sweat.
With racing heart, he tried to shake free from the fear that held him as tight as the chains that would soon bind him. To no avail. The Spirit of Almighty God had left him. No longer would he feel the presence of the Lord. No longer would he feel the might of God as in times past. Those days were over. The Bible says that Samson didn’t even know what happened. He didn’t realize that the Spirit of the Lord had left him. Chapters 13-17 of Judges tell us the complete story of Samson. There were some good days. Some obedient days. But it was the times of disobedience and sin that caused Samson’s demise. Had he not followed after the lust of the flesh….I believe things would have ended differently for Samson.
In the end, God did use Samson again. But he had to give his very life to be used. I imagine (my opinion only), that Samson was very angry when he was captured. Angry at his “girlfriend” for tricking him. (Watch where you lay your head) Angry at his parents, for surely they “knew” people, and could get him out. Angry at God for giving him strength and then taking it away.
It was not until he came face to face with the realization that “he”, Samson, was the one that had played right into the hand (lap) of the enemy did his heart began to change.
In Samson’s final prayer (Judges 16:28), he demonstrated more repentance and faith than he had in years. Maybe in his whole life. God heard. God answered. Samson made it to the “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews 11:32).
I am thankful that the price for my sin was paid on Calvary. Although I have suffered the consequences for sinful actions in my life. The payment of my sin has been paid in full. You may have suffered from your own sinful actions as well.
Or, you may be suffering due to the sinful actions of another. If that is the “suffering” case, God is your help in time of need. He is your STRENGTH. YOUR STRONGHOLD. He will hold you in His tender hand. He too suffered due to the sinful actions of others. Ours.
I suppose what made me the most upset with my girls as they were growing up, was the fact that I could not for the life of me, get it through their thick heads, that there would be a price to pay for misdeeds. No matter how much I blathered on about it! They never seemed to hear! Somewhere — somehow—we all learn the lesson of disobedience to God and parents. Tiffany can absolutely testify to that now. April would tell you as well.
I am following hard after the steps of my Father. I want with all my heart for His Word to speak into my heart His desires for me. For my life. It is a very hard journey at times. But it is the only journey for me. That other road….the one I used to travel?…. the bridge to that road was long ago washed out….there is no other way for me, but His way.
Sisters, do you remember the old song….”I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back…..no turning back.” (Did you sing it with me?) I am following Him.
Keeping the Faith,
The Sisters (Angie)
Jeff & Angie 