In Touch - June 27, 2007

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

June 27, 2007 – The Consequences of Indulging Weaknesses – Judges 13:24-25

At salvation, believers become new creations set apart for God’s purposes. The Lord has a specific plan for the life of every believer. And Second Peter 1: 3 says He provides every believer the resources to accomplish his purposes.

Consider Samson. At the time of his birth, Israel was under Philistine rule. Judges 21:25 says people in that wicked culture “did what was right in [their] own eyes.” God ordained Samson be set apart for His service. As Judges 13:5 says, Samson was the one who would “begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” To prepare Samson for this mission, the Lord gave him godly parents. God blessed him with an upbringing uncontaminated by the culture. The Lord also gifted him with incredible human strength. Samson was greatly blessed as he matured. He became Judge over Israel, with the authority to carry out God’s will.

God equipped Samson with everything he needed to fulfill the Lord’s purpose. But Samson had a weakness — lust. He chose to indulge his desire, and it eventually led to his downfall. As a result, he ended up a prisoner, no longer in a position to fulfill his God-given purpose.

The Lord equips us with the ability to resist giving in to our weaknesses. But we must be willing to turn away from temptation and follow the Lord. Samson had enormous potential to demonstrate righteousness on behalf of God. So do we. But he chose sin and suffered the consequences. Will you turn to God for help today or indulge in your weakness?

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