Today’s Reading, Judges 13-15
Focal Scripture: Judges 13:25 “Then the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in the Camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.”
We need a stirring of the Spirit in our day. I want to be clear, I am not talking about an unbiblical experience that puts more emphasis on certain gifts than the Lord himself. We have certain denominations that put more hope in tongues, healings, and dreams than being obedient to the scriptures. This thinking, is also making its way to other denominations. It is causing much harm because the Holy Spirit is not being magnified but the results are more important to the people. What I mean by a stirring of the spirit are people who are sensitive to the Lord and his guidance.
In today’s reading we get the account of Samson and his birth. We also get to see the Angel of the Lord speak to his parents and give them very specific instructions on how he is to be raised. Near the end of the first chapter we find a very peculiar saying “the spirit of the Lord began to stir him.” From the reading we know that the spirit of the Lord was doing a work in Samson and pushing him to make decisions that would glorify the Lord and bring punishment to the Philistines. His work began when the spirit began to stir in his life.
Even though I am hesitant by how the spirit is leveraged in the holiness movement. I am also concerned how the spirit is ignored with many of my more conservative brethren. I have witnessed too many people ignore the work and power of the Spirit and put themselves in the drivers seat. I believe there is a simple answer to this dilemma, on how to listen and how to be obedient to the spirits leading and work.
We must be people of the Bible more than we are people who rely on feelings and emotions. When the spirit speaks we need to check it with scripture. This will require that we know the scriptures well and can immediately check what we are being led to do in our lives.
I challenge you to be stirred by the spirit in your life. When you hear his voice accurately, he will lead you to accomplish great and mighty things in his name. The Holy Spirit seals us unto salvation, convicts of sin, and gives us the ability to use our gifts for his glory.
Be stirred by the spirit in your life today. Be obedient to him even when it doesn’t make sense in your personal life, because radical obedience requires passionate faith. We need believers who trust the spirit of the Lord and know when they are being stirred to complete great works.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Judges 16-18
