Sunshine
Today's Verse:
And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. ~Judges 13:24
Israel had gone into terrible idolatry and was living in wickedness. God chastened them by allowing the Philistines to oppress them for forty years. Israel was living in spiritual darkness and desperately in need for the light to shine again upon them. There was darkness in the nation and darkness in every home. God gave them a judge who would bring them deliverance. This judge was a man named Samson. Samson’s name means “sunshine” or “sunny.” In Judges 13, we see how we can have the sunshine again when dark times have come.
We see a commitment to precepts.
The angel of the Lord came to the wife of Manoah and advised her that she would give birth to a son. Before this announcement, she was physically unable to have children. God would miraculously open her womb so that she could have the joy of bearing children. With this announcement, the angel told her that the child would be a boy and that he would be a Nazarite from the womb to the day of his death. Both she and this son would be under strict standards of living. The emphasis in this is that we must be people who are committed to obeying and living out God’s commands. The blessing of God upon the nation was contingent upon the obedience of Manoah and his wife in following the precepts that God gave them. For the sun to shine in our homes, obedience must be the rule and not the exception.
We see the compatible partners.
Our marriage need to be a picture of Heaven on earth. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” A compatible marriage is one where the husband and wife are becoming one in Christ. The husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. The wife submits herself to her own husband without reservation. Husbands must give honor to the wife as unto the weaker vessel and as being heirs together of the grace of life. Compatibility demands openness and not hidden secrets. Compatibility demands clear and encouraging communications between both spouses. In the absence of compatibility, there is confusion, hurt, and insecurity.
We see conscientious praying.
After his wife told him about the appearance of the angel of the Lord, Manoah intreated the Lord on how to raise the child. He asked, “How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?” Good parenting is preceded by an honest and sincere season of prayer. We need to ask God to show us how to raise our children in the right way. We need to ask God to help us not to miss the opportunity of directing the children in such a way where they can and will make a difference in their generation. Husbands and wives need to pray together. Parents and children need to pray together. Prayer is lifting the shade and allowing the light to shine in our homes.
We see consecrated parenting.
Ephesians 6:1-4 provides us concise insight on godly parenting. Good parenting must avoid showing favoritism. Good parenting must be careful not to provoke a child to wrath. Good parenting seeks the Spirit’s fullness in nurturing healthy relationships between parents and children. Good parenting gives full-time attention to bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
When Samson was born into the home of Manoah, the sun was shining again! They were blessed with a miracle son. They were blessed with a strong mission in life for the next 15-18 years. The nation would be blessed with a judge and spiritual leader who would deliver them from the Philistines.
Let the sun shine again in your life and home. Don’t be a captive to darkness when you have the light.
Have a radiant God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 46-48
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