*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*WITHOUT GOD?*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Judges 16:20 *And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.*
*Insight and Highlight*
It is possible to think or say God is with you when He is not.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Almost everyone seems to claim God speaks to them, claims they seek God for an answer, that God has given them direction when God is none of these.
People can deceive themselves, but none one can deceive Him. It is either He is with you or He is not.
Facing challenges does not indicate the absence of God, Exd 5:23, Job 1.
Neither does being without challenges is proof of God's presence, Job 21:7-15, Ps 73:3-5
Perhaps, if not the greatest deception against one self, is to believe God is with you when He is not.
Samson thought God was with Him at the point he broke the secret of his strength, but God momentarily departed.
A momentarily departure of God is just as bad as a life that does not have God or had never had a moment or day of His presence.
There is hope of restoration when God departs momentarily, just as there is hope if He had never been present, but it is never good for God to leave you at any time.
Many people are walking or living on borrowed time. There are yokes hanging on their necks, and until they do the needful for God, they will only be wasting time.
Few things about this moment when Samson felt God was with him like
*"....other times before,* when He had indeed departed.
First, It is a warning that it is possible for the Lord to depart from someone without him or her realizing it.
Second, it is a warning that it is possible for the Lord to depart from a persistently sinful person without him or her realizing it.
Third, it is a common thing that people often refer to God as understanding their human nature of sin. People say God understands, and He knows we are sinners.
Remember people's saying that goes : 'To err is human to forgive is divine'.
Forgiveness is not automatic if there is wilful sin, Heb 10:26.
You can not be a friend of Jesus and expect to be His friend while you continue in sinful and immoral conduct. You can not be assured of presence.
Do not wait until God departs from you. One may likely not survive that moment.
You can check with Him for the assurance of your salvation!
Do not live or make decisions without God!
*Remorse corner.*
God is not willing to depart from His people, Lam 3:33, but a continued demonstration of disobedience can cause Him to leave.
*Call to Word action.*
Samson broke a promise, and God would no longer be with him.
*The Christian clarion.*
Samson's heroic demonstration of faith resulted in his inclusion among the heroes of faith, Heb 11:32.
What heroic demonstration will you show God in order to save and preserve you in the book of life?
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to demonstrate the faith of a true believer that would restore me to You, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
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