Judges 11:30-31 (New King James Version)
30 And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands,
31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
Judges 13:8 (New King James Version)
8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD, and said, “O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.”
Here are two decisions made by men who were seeking favor from God, but what a difference in the requests. In the first we see a man, Jephthah, who makes a vow brashly and without thinking it through.
Compare this with Manoah, father of Samson, who humbly sought God’s council, “teach us what we shall do…”
More lessons from the Book of Judges.
Samson’s mother was childless, which was considered a curse in her day. When the angel of the Lord spoke to her and told her she would have a special child there is no indication that she had any doubt. She joyfully shared this news with her husband, Manoah, who also accepted this news with joy.
Manoah’s only concern seemed to be to do what was right in the sight of God in his raising of this special child and he sought council from God for that knowledge.
The outcomes of these two approaches are very different. Jephthah’s impulsive vow cost the life of his only child while Manoah’s request brought him understanding of the way to prepare Samson for his role as God’s prophet.
The Life Application Bible reminds us of God’s judgment when we refuse to stay in the Way, but we are also reminded of His mercy in times of genuine repentance.
We are encouraged to prayerfully seek to prepare ourselves to follow our calling and be ready to fulfill whatever purpose God has for our lives. Over and over we are reminded that we need not be perfect (thank God) to be useful in the Kingdom.
Luke 11:1-13 (New King James Version)
The Model Prayer
1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
In the biography of Samson in the Life Application Bible we are reminded “In the end, Samson recognized his dependence on God. When he died God turned his failures and defeats into victory. Samson’s story teaches us that it is never too late to start over. (Aren’t we grateful for this?) However badly we may have failed in the past, today it is not too late for us to put our complete trust in God.
I thank God for mercy renewed every morning. I thank God for today’s lesson of encouragement.
May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
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