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15 December 2007
Word on the Web
Judges 15 v 9-13
The Philistines went up and camped in the land of Judah. near a place called Lehi. The men of Judah asked them, "Why have you come here to fight us?" they answered, "We have come to take Samson our prisoner, to pay him back for what he did to our people." Then three thousand men of Judah went to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, "What have you done to us? Don't you know that the philistines rule over us?" Samson answered, "I only paid then back for what they did to me." They said to him, "We've come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines." Samson said to them, "Promise me that you won't hurt me yourselves."
Not a friend in the world
Samson had upset the Philistines big time. So they camped in the land of Judah and posed a threat to the Israelites. Samson's own people, the Israelites, felt intimidated. Now Samson had no friends at all. The Philistines were angry and wanted revenge for their ruined crops. The Israelites wanted to be kept out of what to them was a private argument between the Philistines and Samson - the hot-head.
Samson was caught in the middle of two groups of people - neither of which really cared about him and what might become of him.
Having exhausted his energy chasing foxes and slaughtering Philistines, Samson now retreats into a cave. He's tired. He's scared of reprisals. He needs time to think. He needs somewhere to hide.
Sometimes when we feel that everything and everyone is against us - and they are outside our cave trying to convince us they'll be fair and friendly; we can also find ourselves retreating further into our own cave. Instead, what we should do is look to our best friend of all - God!
Maybe Samson doesn't realise it at this stage, but the only real friend he ever had was God. When he was really in need of a friend no one was prepared to stand by him. This says two things to me. One, God is my best friend. Then, two, I should try to help others when they need a friend.
How good are you as a friend to others?
Heavenly Father, if Jesus can call me his friend (John 15:15) Then I can be a friend to others. But, I need your strength to support me - so help me Lord. Amen.
Written by Gary Roberts
Word on the Web
Judges 15 v 9-13
The Philistines went up and camped in the land of Judah. near a place called Lehi. The men of Judah asked them, "Why have you come here to fight us?" they answered, "We have come to take Samson our prisoner, to pay him back for what he did to our people." Then three thousand men of Judah went to the cave in the rock of Etam and said to Samson, "What have you done to us? Don't you know that the philistines rule over us?" Samson answered, "I only paid then back for what they did to me." They said to him, "We've come to tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines." Samson said to them, "Promise me that you won't hurt me yourselves."
Not a friend in the world
Samson had upset the Philistines big time. So they camped in the land of Judah and posed a threat to the Israelites. Samson's own people, the Israelites, felt intimidated. Now Samson had no friends at all. The Philistines were angry and wanted revenge for their ruined crops. The Israelites wanted to be kept out of what to them was a private argument between the Philistines and Samson - the hot-head.
Samson was caught in the middle of two groups of people - neither of which really cared about him and what might become of him.
Having exhausted his energy chasing foxes and slaughtering Philistines, Samson now retreats into a cave. He's tired. He's scared of reprisals. He needs time to think. He needs somewhere to hide.
Sometimes when we feel that everything and everyone is against us - and they are outside our cave trying to convince us they'll be fair and friendly; we can also find ourselves retreating further into our own cave. Instead, what we should do is look to our best friend of all - God!
Maybe Samson doesn't realise it at this stage, but the only real friend he ever had was God. When he was really in need of a friend no one was prepared to stand by him. This says two things to me. One, God is my best friend. Then, two, I should try to help others when they need a friend.
How good are you as a friend to others?
Heavenly Father, if Jesus can call me his friend (John 15:15) Then I can be a friend to others. But, I need your strength to support me - so help me Lord. Amen.
Written by Gary Roberts
