Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Judges 15 and Psalm 39

“The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands.” (Judges 15:14). If ever there was a Biblical “hero” whose character and behaviour appears utterly ungodly, it’s Samson. Yet, when Samson was committing all these sins and acting so foolishly, arrogantly, selfishly and disrespectfully, it was because he was acting on his own volition. He was under his own “lordship”. Unlike us, the Holy Spirit did not dwell in him. Only at key moments when God intended to use Samson to deliver His people Israel, did the Spirit come upon Samson and make him supernaturally powerful.

Take note, then, how different our lives ought to be – we who have declared to Jesus, “I am no longer my own but Yours … I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal” (Methodist Covenant Prayer). The Spirit does not come upon us from time to time. He lives within us permanently through our faith in Jesus Christ. Our lives ought to be characterised by both great godliness in the power of the Holy Spirit, and great exploits in the power of the Holy Spirit. May it be so today! Amen!