Christian Devotional – February 16, 2025

Avoiding the Rollercoaster, Day 16

One of the saddest verses in scriptures. Read Judges chapter 16.

Over the years, I have read the story of Samson many times. We see so many truths through his life and so many lessons that we can learn from all that he did. Still, even with all the times I have read the verses, there are few verses that as sad to me as verse 20. The idea is so sad that with everything Samson had done, he did not recognize that God’s spirit had left him.

Samson did not know what it felt like to have God’s spirit with him, and did not recognize the power of God in his life. And as a result, he did not realize when it was no longer there. It makes me wonder how well I recognize God’s spirit working and moving in my life. Do I see evidence of God working through me? Do I recognize what his spirit in my life looks like? Would I understand it if my sin was blocking what God wanted to do?

These are questions that make me read this story with such a heavy heart. When we think about avoiding the rollercoaster, we’re a trying to avoid moments like this, moments where we realize that God is no longer in control of our lives and is not working and moving through us. At that instant, we desperately need to repent and come back to him as quickly as possible. Samson waits before he repents, and not until at the very last moment of his life does he repent and come back to God.

How long will it take for us to repent? How long will it take for us to recognize when God is no longer at the forefront of everything we do? We must seek him and recognize Him and His movement in our lives.

Check out the video devotional for today as well: https://youtu.be/qVZNI_GfgsA