Bible Reading: Judges 12-14; Luke 9:37-62
Memory Verse: “But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.” Judges 14:4 (KJV)
In our reading of today, Judges 14 tells us Samson asked his parents to get a Philistine woman in Timnath for him as a wife. It should be noted that at that time, the Philistines were the overlord of the Israelites and one would not have expected an Israeli to date a Philistine. But the Bible says in Judges 14:4 (KJV), “But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.” This is why they contended with Samson and asked why he did not choose a woman among their people (Judges 14:3). Thus the Bible says in Romans 11:33 (KJV), “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
You may not understand a number of things when they happen except you have a discerning heart. That is why it is important to always seek the face of God on every issue so that you do not end up fighting God when you intend fighting for Him! No wonder God told prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV), “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Whenever you have any assignment, it’s important you commit it to the hands of God and ask Him for direction. That assignment you have, that project you are about to start, have you sought the face of God on it?
Once you are born again, you have the Holy Spirit living in you and all you need is to be conscious of that fact so that you can follow his leading. It is not everyone that will hear audibly from God or receive vision about a situation. God speaks to his children in different ways and what is important is for you to know how He speaks to you. Furthermore, it’s important to note that He may choose to speak to you in more than one way. Similarly He can give you instruction to do something one way today and He may give you a different instruction concerning the same issue at another day. This was the case with Moses when in Exodus 17:6; God asked Moses to strike the rock to bring out water. But in Numbers 20:8; God asked him to speak to the rock to bring out water! It is important to always listen to instructions and obey as directed in order to avoid the wrath of God.
Some Christians say they do not seek God’s direction on their various assignments because they do not hear from God! That assertion will be coming from someone who does not understand the authority and power that he/she carries as a believer. As stated above, what is important for every believer to note is that you have the Holy Spirit in you guiding you once you are saved. So when you pray to God on an issue and you have peace of mind on that issue, it means the Holy Spirit in you has aligned with God’s will and that is God answering you! So God does not have to always speak with you in audible or still small voice!
Prayer point: Using Psalm 32:8, Commit your day to God and ask him to instruct and teach you the way to go and guide you with his eyes.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero