Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Saturday May 11, 2024

 

Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria 

Grace for Living Devotional 

Saturday May 11, 2024

TOPIC: RISK OF IGNORING PARENTAL COUNSEL

BIBLE READING:

JUDGES 14:1-3

1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. 3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.  

KEY VERSE:

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22  

MEDITATION:

The birth of Samson was divinely orchestrated for the purpose of delivering Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:1-5). Samson had godly parents, Manoah and wife, who kept all the angelic instructions prior to his miracle birth as they were barren. Samson was a Nazarite from the womb set apart for God’s service, primarily to subdue the Philistines. As a judge, he did exactly that! Unfortunately, Samson, the anointed servant of God had no control over his sexual urge. He frequented the enemies’ camp scouting for ladies. That eventually became his albatross.   

In today’s bible text, Samson found a woman and hinted his parents he wanted her for a wife. They did not consent because Israel was forbidden to intermarry with the heathen nations they dwelt amongst. Samson ignored his parents’ counsel. Marriage is one of the most important decisions that can make or mar a person's life. Parental and godly counsel are very safe for any marriage plan. Whenever ignored, the consequences can be dire. Except marriage, every other thing worked for Samson.  

Samson had no respect for the anointing of God upon his head, and neither did he heed the counsel of his godly parents. He found another harlot, Delilah, a Philistine to whom he gave his heart carelessly (Judges 16:4-25). It was on her laps that he was captured by the Philistines. His eyes were pulled out, he was tortured and humiliated, and died a shameful death.   

Why do some young people turn down godly and parental counsel before getting into marriage?  

PRAYER:

Father Lord, please deliver every young person from error in marriage.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

2 Kings 4-5; John 4:1-30