Judges 16-17
Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him. Judges 16:20
Samson’s life continues to amaze the reader. A man who had been selected and set apart has done just about everything conceivable to sabotage that call. He now sees what happens when the Lord leaves him. A man who has the Lord in his life, every moment of his life, is so out of touch with the Lord that when the Lord leaves him, he does not even realize it. This is one of the saddest verses in Scripture. And yet, I must constantly be asking myself, am I abiding in Christ and am I aware that He is abiding in me? Do I realize that apart from Him I can do nothing? “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). Since Christ’s ascension, the Spirit is given as a deposit and a seal. He will not leave the child of God. Yet I must continually ask myself if I am so aware of his presence that I would know if He left. I cannot worship that which I do not embrace. I cannot worship that which I ignore or despise. Worshiping God is possible because of His presence in my life.
O God, I love your presence. I thirst for your Spirit in my life and in my heart. Help me always remain in you, my dear Jesus. Thank you for remaining in me. Amen