The Sins of The Saints

Bernard of Clairvaux once mentioned an old man who, upon hearing about any professing Christian who fell into sin, would say to himself: "He fell today; I may fall tomorrow!" The apostle Paul commended the same mindset when he wrote, "let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12) 

There is great wisdom in not trusting our own ability to stand. When I was a boy, my father would often say, "The person I trust least of all is myself." It should shock us to hear a professing Christian say, "I would never do that," or "How could anyone do that?" Consider the following: 

If Adam, an innocent man, could choose a piece of fruit over the infinitely valuable God (Genesis 3:6);  if Noah, the most righteous man of his day, could get so drunk that he passed out naked before his sons in his tent (Genesis 9:21);  if Abraham, the most faithful man of his day, could father a child with his wife's handmaiden (Genesis 16:1-4) and twice hand his wife over to other men (Genesis 12:11-15; 20:1-2);  if Sarah, the mother of promise, could laugh at the words of the God of promise and then lie to Him about doing so (Genesis 18:9-15);  if "righteous Lot" could greedily pick the most materialistic and sexually depraved place for himself and his family to live (Genesis 13:8-13), and could hand his daughters over to the sexually perverse men of the city (Genesis 19:4-8);  if Isaac, the son of promise, could show partiality to his oldest son because he liked his hunting skills (Genesis 25:28), and he, too, could hand his wife over to another man (Genesis 26:6-11); and if Jacob, the namesake of Israel, could swindle his brother for a birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), then so could I. 

If Moses, the meekest man on the planet, could act in such sinful anger and unbelief that God would not let him into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-12);  if his successor Joshua, could disobediently covenant with pagans (Joshua 9);  if Gideon, the mighty man of valor, could fall into idolatry at the end of his life (Judges 8:22-27); and if Samson, the strongest man who ever lived, could be defeated by wine and women (Judges 14-16), then so could I. if David, the man after God's own heart, could commit adultery and premeditate the murder of one of his mighty men (2 Samuel 11);  if Solomon, the wisest man, could foolishly allow his heart to be led astray by a thousand women to worship foreign gods (1 Kings 11);  if Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, could charge God with deceiving His people (Jeremiah 4:10); and if Elijah, a prophet of Israel, could self-righteously run from the mission of God (Jonah 1-3), then so could I. 

 If John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, could doubt the identity of the One to whom he bore witness (Matthew 11:2-3); and if the Apostle Peter could try to stop Jesus from going to the cross (Matthew 16:21-23), deny Jesus (Luke 22:54-61), argue with the Lord about the gospel and its implications (John 13:6-10; Acts 10:9-16), and support division in the church over the doctrine of justification by faith alone (Galatians 2:11-21), then so could I. 

If James and John could use Jesus to get to the top (Mark 10:35-37) and could want to call fire down from Heaven on those who did not believe the gospel (Luke 9:51-55); and if the Apostle John could twice fall down to worship angels (Revelation 19:9-10; Revelation 22:8-9), then so could I. 

We must resist the temptation of thinking that we can stand in our own strength. We must depend on the grace of the One who said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). The greatest believers are subject to great weaknesses. In no way do these truths give a license to sin; instead, they give a sober realization that by nature, "nothing good dwells in us." (Romans 7:18) 

We must distrust ourselves, bear with the weak, and hold fast to Christ. We must flee to our Great High Priest, who was tempted in all points as we are, yet never sinned. We must go to Him for grace and mercy to withstand temptations, and we must go to Him for grace and mercy if we fall.

[Nick Batzig]  

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1 Corinthians 15:10 ...  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Psalm 119:117 ...  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. ❤

The Church Compared to the Moon

Nothing on earth is so precious to the Infinite Mind as his Church. Her beauty, her glory, etc., are exhibited in the sacred oracles, by the most striking figures, among which is that of the text. The moon is a secondary planet which attends on the earth, to give light by night. Its beauty and splendor have ever been admired; and its communications of light have ever been appreciated. Hence the comparison in the text. The state of the Church is indicated by the text, as all expositors agree. The Church may be compared to the moon in the following respects: 

 I. The moon is a beautiful and glorious object and inspires the beholders of it with admiration. So, the Church of Christ even in this world is a beautiful and glorious object. The operations of Divine grace have made her fair. She is fair when compared with the wicked fair in the estimation of angels, who behold her with admiration and rapture, (Ephesians 3:10) fair in the estimation of Christ, who thus addresses her, "You are all fair, my love, there is no spot in you." (Song of Solomon 4:7) "He has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness. As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels!" (Isaiah 61:10) This was not formerly the case; for each member of it was vile and wicked. There was no light, no moral beauty in the soul. But saints are redeemed from spiritual bondage, they are saved from guilt and condemnation they are regenerated by the Spirit of God they have now, in some good degree, the fruits of the Spirit felt in their hearts, and exemplified in their conduct. In their associated capacity, believers are united in the bonds of holy love they strive together for the faith of the Gospel they are the salt of the earth, the lights of the world. What a beautiful object is the Church of God when its members reflect the glory of him who has created them to "good works"! 

II. The moon receives her light from the sun. So, the Church receives all her light and glory from Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. The sun gives light but receives none; the moon both receives light and gives light. So, Christ, as God, has light in himself; but as Mediator, he has his light from the Father, to communicate it to his Church, that the Church may give light to the world. The Church has received from him the light of Divine Revelation the development and accomplishment of the plan of salvation all her moral and spiritual beauty adoption into the family of Heaven, and all those glorious privileges flowing from fellowship with himself also a title to Heaven, a fitness for it, and the hope that anticipates it. "And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD!" (Ezekiel 16:14)    

III. The moon gives light to the world during the night. So it is by the Church that God sends forth his light and his truth for the benefit of the nations of the earth that sit in darkness and have no light. And as the moon shall emit its light while time shall last so the Church of Christ will, instrumentally, diffuse the light of the Gospel, until the kingdoms of this world, etc. Consider the darkness that exists in the world of heathenism, of superstition, of Popery, etc. Who has a heart to feel, and a hand to help? None but the Church of God. The "gross darkness" which covers the people, God has determined to disperse and that by the instrumentality of his Church; by her pastors, her evangelists, her missionaries, and by all the means with which Heaven has blessed her. All the predictions referring to the latter-day glory, are to be fulfilled by the instrumentality of God's Church. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." (Mark 16:15) 

IV. The moon, though very fair and bright yet has its spots. So, the Church, though pure and holy, has sometimes her spots of sin. No saint is without blemishes. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves." (1 John 1:8) "Pray, therefore, lest you enter into temptation." 

V. The moon has its various aspects. Sometimes in the full, sometimes in the wane. Now it shines gloriously then that glory greatly decreases. Yet still it is the same moon, and is not then destitute of the sunbeams, though it may appear so to our sight. "The Church," says an old divine, "is like the moon, which sometimes shines wholly, being enlightened with the sunbeams, and sometimes deprived of a great part of its light." Now the Church shines most gloriously and then is so obscured that she hardly appears at all. The Church has its eclipses, like the moon, and is in darkness for a time. Sometimes the Church has been eclipsed, or obscured, by persecution, and driven by it into the wilderness. (Revelation 12:6) Ecclesiastical history furnishes much information on this subject. But the Church, like the moon, has always emerged from its obscurity, to shine with its usual splendor, and to diffuse in the world the light of truth and vital religion. Sometimes afflictions cloud the Church and temptations and sin and other trials; for believers are often "in heaviness through manifold temptations." 

Lastly. The moon is not so bright as the sun; for it derives its light from it; but the period will come when God's Church shall be "Clear as the Sun" yes, purer and brighter. The Church here, in its best state, is but fair as the moon, which shines with a borrowed light, and is subject to changes, and has its spots. When it is perfected in the kingdom of glory, it will be as clear as the sun the Church shall be clothed with the Sun, with Christ the Sun of Righteousness they shall be as the Sun when he goes forth in his might. (Judges 5:31) They shall shine in inexpressible glory; and that which is perfect shall then come, and there shall be no sin, no darkness, no spots! "The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted." (Isaiah 30:26)

[William Nicholson]

Song of Solomon 6:10 ... Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?  ❤

"Acsah"

That word of Acsah ( עַכְסָה), "also" is the commonest of words in the hungering and thirsting heart, and on the praying lips of the Christian. God has done much for me. He has given me a south land, where the sun shines, where the fields are broad and rich, where grape-vines and olive trees and fig trees may flourish and yield their harvests. But I am not yet at the end of my needs or of His resources. He must give me springs of water also to quicken and revive everything. I have not attained. I am not fully satisfied. As liberal as He has been, He is not wearied in bestowing, nor is His treasury depleted! 

I shall come to Him over and over with new entreaties and new desires. He will return to me over and over with new endowments and new love. Suppose that I am forgiven I would have Him also add to His forgiveness, the peace and assurance which it should beget. Suppose that I am justified in His sight by the infinite meritoriousness of my Lord Jesus Christ I would also know now what it is to be sanctified and made holy by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Suppose that I am His redeemed and adopted child, dwelling in the atmosphere of His favor I would also be His consecrated servant and commissioned ambassador, employed to advance His Kingdom. Suppose that He has given me the south land of His mercifulness and grace He must also give me the springs of water, that through the whole of the encircling year I may bear much fruit to His glory. 

Lord, give me springs of water also! 

[Alexander Smellie]

Judges 1:15 ... And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs. ❤

Tools and Instruments!!

Let all true Christians lay these things to heart and take courage. We live in a world where all things are ordered by a hand of perfect wisdom; and where in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. The powers of this world are only tools in the hand of God. He is always using them for His own purposes, however little they may be aware of it. They are the instruments by which He is forever cutting and polishing the living stones of His spiritual temple and all their schemes and plans will only turn to His praise. 

Let us be patient in days of trouble and darkness and look forward. The very things which now seem against us are all working together for our good and God's glory! 

[J. C. Ryle]

Judges 6:13 ... And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

1 Peter 4:16 ... Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ❤

Deborah

And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:5

Deborah [Hebrew] ~ Honey Bee. ✿

By The Power of His Spirit

Samson is a powerful example of a man of God who won his battles over and over again because the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Yet when he was finally defeated by Delilah’s temptations he didn’t realize that the Lord had left him, so effective was the woman’s spell.

The enemy is subtle and the temptations of the flesh can so quickly quench the presence and power of God’s spirit that we may not even realize it has happened. But this anointing of the Holy Spirit is our Life and our victory. Opposition can be destroyed and burdens can be lifted when His wonderful Presence fills and rests upon us. Our greatest battle is maintaining that internal communion with Him by His Spirit. Temptations, bad habits, our sinful nature, demonic attacks, all these collaborate to rob us of this holy anointing, our communion with God, and our only real power over every enemy!

Samson’s victories vividly demonstrate the tremendous power of the anointing. His power over the Philistines was legendary and truly heroic. But when he lost his anointing, they nearly destroyed him. How critical it is in these days to keep our lamps burning with the holy “oil” of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) anointing. His goodness will defeat the evils around us, His light will banish darkness, His joy will annihilate our depression, His forgiveness will root out all bitterness, His love will overcome our natural hatred, and every subtle deception will be exposed by His excellent TRUTH! Seek HIS ANOINTING, the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He will equip you to break every yoke of bondage and defeat every internal and external enemy.

Please don’t find yourself in the condition of Samson, in the arms of his lust, not even realizing that the anointing had left him. The cost was enormous, even though he was restored. Instead, guard yourself against the subtle temptations of this world seeking more and more of His indwelling Presence. That anointing will produce one victory after another. Amen.

[George Whitten]

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Judges 14:5-6 ... Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.  And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

Judges 16:20 ... And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.

1 John 2:16 ... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.



1 Corinthians 10:13 ... There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.❤

Samson's Riddle Unriddled!

Conflicts come to us when we are least prepared for them. Samson was walking in the vineyards of Timnath, thinking of anything but lions, and "Suddenly," says the Scripture, "a young lion came roaring toward him!" Fresh and furious, a young lion is the worst kind of beast that a man can meet with. Let us expect, as followers of Christ, to meet with strong temptations, fierce persecutions, and severe trials, which will lead to stern conflicts.

What a type we have here of our Divine Lord and Master, Jesus, the conqueror of death and Hell. He has destroyed the lion that roared upon us and upon Him. To me, the comparison seems wonderfully apt and suggestive. I see our triumphant Lord laden with sweetness, holding it forth to all His brethren that we may have our lives sweetened and our hearts filled with joy.

All this is clear to the eye of faith, which unriddles the riddle. Alas, when under deep depression, the mind forgets all this, and is only conscious of its unutterable misery the man sees the lion, but not the honey in its carcass. But faith finds honey in the lion!

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

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Judges 14:5-6 ... Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him.  The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.

Revelation 1:18 ... I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.❤

Samson

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.  Judges 13:24

Samson [Hebrew] ~ child of the sun.♛

Against The Odds

Why would God lead Gideon into battle with an army of only 300 men against an army of 135,000 Midianites? Gideon placed his trust in the Lord even against overwhelming odds. When you feel that the odds are against your favor and the Lord is leading you into battle, remember Gideon. He went on to victory because he dutifully followed the Lord. When you feel the odds are stacked against you, could God be using you to demonstrate His strength?

[Daily Bible Devotions]

Judges 7:7 ...  And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

Psalm 140:7 ... O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

Psalm 24:8 ... Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. ❤

Image: The Fellowship Room

Gideon

And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,  Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. Judges 6:36-40


Gideon [Hebrew] ~ Warrior, one who cuts down. ♛

Jehovah Shalom

♥ And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Judges 6:23-24

Image: Mike Anderson