Actions and Responses (April 10)

Samson...killed many more when he died than when he lived.

If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?

Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.'  But now the Lord declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.'

The Lord called Samuel..."Here am I."...The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.

The ark of God was captured, and Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

They carried the ark into Dagon's temple...early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face...the following morning...head and hands had been broken off...Death had filled the city with panic: God's hand was very heavy upon it.  Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.
                                   From Judges 16 & 1Samuel 2-5

We read of many events and much action today.  Many Philistines died where Samson pushed over the posts supporting the temple, he was "entertaining" the crowd.  God instructs us and with comments on intercession; who will interceed, we may be pointed to Christ, the one who interceeds for us.  One might even get a taste of Christ coming for all men, not just the Hebrew, when God "expands" the ministry from Eli and descendants to those who honor Him being honored and those who dispise Him being disdained. 

We can all learn from Samuel's response to God's call,  "Here I am."  We can be encouraged also by his not letting any of God's words fall to the floor.

God shows the Philistines a glimpse of His power in Dagon falling onto the floor and having his head and arms broken off in the presence of the Ark.  The Philistines feel a touch of God's power by many dying and many being afflicted by tumors in the presence of the Ark.


How are you moved by Samson's action, by killing Philistines at his death?

How have you considered Christ's continual intercession for us?

When you are called by God, what is your response?  Is it similiar to Samuel's?  What do you do with God's words?

Have you considered God's power?

Pray for those in leadership to be guided by the Spirit in discerning and following God's word.

In Christ,

David P