Deep appreciation and respect for the honorable men and women in uniform who have faithfully served and defended our country, especially those who gave their lives to protect our freedom! To all the members of our Armed Forces, THANK YOU for your noble service!

In preparing for the final message in our short series on the life of Samson, I just ran across this powerful prayer by Scotty Smith, reminding me that the battle belongs to the Lord – Indeed! I may conclude tomorrow’s message with it.

A Prayer About God’s Ownership of the Battle

• It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s. 1 Samuel 17:47

• This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15

Dear heavenly Father, I love it when you’re selfish with things I don’t really want anyway. So I’m gladly reminded today that you claim ownership of any battle into which you place me. Though you call me into spiritual warfare and though you give me armor to wear (Ephesians 6:10-18), it is you that I must trust in as the Divine Warrior. You’re not calling me to be a disengaged passivist, but a fully engaged worshipper—beholding the salvation of the Lord.

Whether we’re talking about a mere skirmish or an all out assault from the powers of darkness, the battle belongs to you. Fear and discouragement are not the order of the day, faith and peace are.

When I’m afraid of events in world history—when it seems like evil and terror will triumph, once again, let me hear the laughter of heaven. Let me see your installed King, the Lord Jesus. Show me the occupied throne of heaven and it will shut up my fears. (Psalm 2)

When I’m under attack by the seducer, accuser and condemner of the brethren, once again, let me see Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Jesus, you have become all the wisdom, righteousness, holiness and redemption I need (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). My boast is in you, not in anything in me.

When I’m in the presence of evil people… keep me thinking, feeling and choosing with gospel sanity. When I’m in broken circumstances with broken people (which is most of life)… let me see Jesus more clearly than the storm and waves. When my own divided, duplicitous, easily-distracted heart wages war inside of me, give me confidence in your commitment to bring to completion the good work YOU began in me.

When the biggest and most fierce opposition… when the most present and garish enemy… when “hugest” and most daily battle is actually against all the non-gospels and anti-gospels with which this world is filled… keep showing me more and more and more of the glory and grace of Jesus. So very Amen, I pray, in his tender and triumphant name.

The above prayer by Scotty Smith is from today’s entry at Heavenward.

Everybody knows the story of Samson, right? Wasn’t he the guy who was supernaturally strong because he had long hair. . . but he fell in love with a prostitute who betrayed him, whacked off his hair, which caused him to lose his strength and ultimately, his freedom?

Yes and no. There’s actually much, much more to Samson’s biography than that. Samson is a warning to the gifted and blessed, not to become egotistical or presumptuous – to instead, use our blessings to the glory of God. Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” (Luke 12:48)

While very few of us would boast of Herculean strength, the truth is, we’ve been given much – so much. Do you enjoy reasonably good health? Do you have a family who loves and cares about you? How about good friends? Solid church? Food on the table every day? We really have been given much.

And of course, of even much greater significance than all of these combined is the gracious gift of salvation. We are blessed indeed! How would God have us use those blessings?

Beginning this Sunday, I’ll take a shot at answering that question and more. We’re kicking off a short three week study of the life of Samson. Want to read ahead? Check out Judges 13-16. Would you do one other thing? Bring a friend! Who can you invite?

I just ran across this amazing video on YouTube. I would have loved to have shown it during our recent series on The Prodigal God. The song is from Sovereign Grace’s Sons & Daughters album, and was written by the brother/sister team of Ryan & Meghan Baird.



Here are the lyrics:

You held out Your arms, I walked away
Insolent I spurned Your face
Squandering the gifts You gave to me
Holding close forbidden things
Destitute a rebel still, a fool in all my pride
The world I once enjoyed is death to me
No joy, no hope, no life

Where now are the friends, that I had bought
Gone with every penny lost
What hope could there be for such as I
Sold out to a world of lies
Oh, to see Your face again, it seems so distant now
Could it be that You would take me back
A servant in Your house

You held out Your arms, I see them still
You never left, You never will
Running to embrace me, now I know
Your cords of love will always hold
Mercy’s robe, a ring of grace
Such favor undeserved
You sing over me and celebrate
The rebel now Your child
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).