There is a limit

Isaiah 30:13

13 calamity will come upon you suddenly—
like a bulging wall that bursts and falls.
In an instant it will collapse
and come crashing down.

As I did my qt today from Isaiah 30 to 32, this verse struck me the most. God gave me a picture of a dam, even though it's meant to keep in water on one side, it will burst when too much pressure is applied. And what spoke to me was that this applies not only in my individual life, but also our couple life as well.

Constantly, we keep falling into lust and God has such tremendous grace to forgive us and cleanse us, but I feel that this verse is saying that we should not push out limits too far because God is really hurt to see us like this.

Individually, I have also been far from God, and I do not want to suffer any consequences from God's wrath. That is why I want to start this year right with him.

Another of my new year's resolution this year is to spend AT LEAST 15min everyday with God, no matter how tired I feel. Let's face it, 15min a day is really not a lot.

Let's make 2013 the year we beat lust ok?

Judges 13 The birth of Samson
At that time, the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. A woman who was barren was blessed with Samson whom was dedicated to the Lord as a Nazirite (no razor shall touch his hair)

17Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?”

18He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.” 

These 2 verses struck me. Sometimes, we may ask things that may be unnecessary to God. And He shall answer to us: "Why do you ask? It is beyond understanding." Sometimes, certain things that God chooses not to reveal to us does not mean that He does not want to bless us. Maybe He just doesn't want us to dwell on thinking about things which He might not consider necessary and instead focus on how awesome He is. 

Also, was just thinking that when we want to dedicate ourselves to God, we need to keep ourselves in check that we do not do anything that may violate the temple of God- our body. We need to keep our bodies pure if we want to dedicate ourselves to the Lord. 

Judges 14 Samson's Marriage

Samson saw a Philistine woman and liked her. He went to his parents to ask for permission of the hand of the Philistine woman. However, his parents disagreed as the Philistine had a different belief from him. However, he insisted. This was the will of the Lord for Samson as He wanted to confront the Philistine at that time who was ruling over Israel. 

Sometimes, God allows couples to be unequally yoked but it will definitely be a reason for it to happen. In this case, God wanted to use Samson to confront the Philistines who were ruling over the people of Israel. 

Judges 15 Samson's vengeance against the Philistines

Samson took vengeance against the Philistines as they gave his wife to one of his companions. Samson ruled Israel 20 years in the days of the Philistines. 

God always desires for his people to live in peace and not oppression. I believe that is why He allowed Samson to fall in love with a Philistine woman. 

Judges 16 Samson and Delilah

Samson went to Gaza and saw a prostitute and he went in to spend a night with her. The people of Gaza waited at the city gate waiting to attack Samson. Samson woke up in the middle of the night and tore the city gate loose and lifted it to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.

Samson went into the Valley of Sorek and fell in love with a woman called Delilah. The rulers of the Philistines bribed her and promised that she will pay her well if she shares his secret of his great strength. 

Samson continuously lied to her about the secret of his strength. She nagged endlessly until Samson was sian about it. Finally, he confided in her his secret. The secret was that he cannot have any razor touch his hair. When he fell asleep on his lap, Delilah called for someone to shave his hair. (AHHHH WHY DELILAH SO JIAN) At that, the presence of the Lord left him. The rulers of the Philistines took Smason and binded him in bronze shackles. But Samson's hair started to grow again. 

We need to be on guard against the enemy. Sometimes, the enemy may come in the disguise of something nice (in Samson's case it was Delilah a pretty lady) We need to learn how to discern what we should do or what we should not do. Samson knew that he should not tell Delilah about his secret, thats why he constantly lied to her. The enemy can be persistent (Just like Delilah) and bug us until we decide to give in. We cannot be like Samson, we need to stand strong in what we know is right. 

The death of Samson

The Philistines praised their god for "he" had delivered Samson into their hands. While they were having their feast, they called Samson out to have him perform for them. Samson prayed and asked God to have strength one last time to destroy the philistines. Also, he would die taking vengeance upon the Philistines. 

God really honoured Samson by allowing him to die in an honourable way. 

Judges 17 Micah's Idols

Micah from Ephraim. He returned 11 shekels of silver to his mother and his mother made an idol from the silver shekels which he had given to her. 

Micah had a shrine in his house. He made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his son as a priest. At that time there were no king in Israel. 

A young Levite left his hometown and chanced upon Micah's house. Micah paid the Levite and asked him to stay at his house and be his priest. 

Even thought the Jews knew about the Lord, they did not worship Him in the correct manner. God already decreed that they should not cast idols for themselves to worship. However, they did not follow and just did what they liked. In order for us to worship God in a right manner, we need to be right with God. We need to know what His word says.

John 4:24 says God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

In order to worship God in spirit, our hearts should be aligned to His will. And to worship God in truth, we need to know His word and understand what He is telling us to do. 

Judges 18 The Danites settle in Laish

Israel had no king at that time. The tribe Danites were looking for a new place to stay. They sent 5 men to search for a new place to stay. As they searched, they chanced upon Micah's house. They recognised the young Levite whom served in Micah's house. The Danites inquired of the young Levite whether God will give them the land. The young Levite gave them the Lord's blessing. They spied out the land and found it good. So they went back and told their fellow people to go attack the land. The 5 men went into Micah's house and took Micah's house idols and ephod and random things. They persuaded the young Levite to follow them as well. As they left, Micah caught up with them and questioned why they took their things. However, there was nothing that Micah could do as there were many Danites. 

The Danites continued on and took the city. They named the city Dan (Previously called Laish) Then they set up the household idols in the city. All the while, no one really recognised the true image of God. 

I think it can be scary sometimes when the intention is right. The people of Israel wanted to worship God. BUt they did things their own way and did not follow what God decreed. Instead of worshipping God in spirit and in truth, they bowed down to idols which they have created for themselves. Tsk tsk no good. We need to examine if there are "idols" in our lives. 

God, sometimes its hard for us to worship you in the right way. It is my desire to worship you in spirit and in truth. Help me to worship you the right way. Help me to discern when there are idols in my life. Lord, also help me when temptation is in my face, help me to stand strong against it. Thank You Lord for being the Lord of my life. In Jesus name I pray amen.