May 1
Judg 13:1-14:20 | PS 102:1-28 | Prov 14:15-16 | John 1:29-51
As we go through the account of Samson, rather than elevating the flaws which we see as he is consumed with the flesh, we should remember that in Hebrews 11:32, Samson is listed in the Hall of Faith. Samson was often filled with the Holy Spirit and as His vessel did many amazing things in the strength of the Lord. Like many of us, when He walked with the Lord, he walked strong, when he was led by the flesh, he faltered. We read about Jesus being empowered by the Holy Spirit in John 1:32-34, "Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God." Two men, both filled with the Holy Spirit. In the case of Jesus, we get to see what this looks like when one does not get consumed by the attacks of the flesh, the world, or Satan. In the case of Samson, we get a glimpse of the sadness of one who could have done so much more, but who allowed the flesh to derail him.
We get a good picture of faith in the person of Manoah, the father of Samson. Notice in his statements, he never questions if what he is told is true, but how he was to move forward with so great a promise, as we read in Judges 13:8, 12, "Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, saying, “Lord, please let the man of God come back to us again and give us more instructions about this son who is to be born.”...So Manoah asked him, “When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?” Notice in this encounter that the Angel of the Lord is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus, also known as a Christophany, as this Angel allows Himself to be worshipped (other angels never allow this as we see in the book of Revelation 22:8-9 when John falls down before an angel), as we read in Judges 13:16-18, "“I will stay,” the angel of the Lord replied, “but I will not eat anything. However, you may prepare a burnt offering as a sacrifice to the Lord.” (Manoah didn’t realize it was the angel of the Lord.) Then Manoah asked the angel of the Lord, “What is your name? For when all this comes true, we want to honor you.” “Why do you ask my name?” the angel of the Lord replied. “It is too wonderful for you to understand.”"
We need to be aware and perceptive. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus and not follow the whims of man, no matter how convincing or how the large the masses might be running in the wrong direction, as we read in Proverbs 14:15-16, "Only simpletons believe everything they're told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence." There is no greater calling than being Jesus' disciple. When Jesus gives the call to follow Him as His disciple in Luke 14:25-33, He tells us all to consider our steps, to discern. We need God's Holy Word as revealed in Scripture to guide us daily, to follow the Spirit rather than the flesh, to be one of God's remnant in a lost world, rather than falling in line with the majority as they are led off the cliff. The way of Jesus is contrary to the way of the world. We will all choose one path or another. But even if we choose correctly to become Jesus' disciple, there will be daily challenges to navigate, and being led by the Spirit will bring peace and clarity.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: