Dangers of Insensitivity

“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, New International Version).

This is the key Bible verse for our “Come and See” devotional today.

We are all created with the ability to learn, to protect ourselves and to experience our world. Our senses play an essential role in our lives but not everyone has ears that can hear and there are many eyes that are wide open but still cannot see. Jesus Christ said: “and in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive.’” (Matthew 13verse 14, New King James Version). This brings to mind the account of Samson in the Bible. His birth was announced by the angel of God and he was given supernatural powers to save Israel from forty years of torment inflicted by their enemies, the Philistines (read Judges 13). Subsequently, He decided to marry one of the daughters of the Philistines against the guidance of his parents but the secret of his special powers was leaked by his wife, who seduced him in response to a request by her kinsmen.

Just like Samson, we often ignore the dangers around us and pretend that all is well. We deliberately allow bad habits to persist and ignore the obvious need for spiritual discipline. Samson continued to take unreasonable risks with his life and slept with harlots of Gaza. As we read in Judges chapter 16, after the third attempt by Delilah, Samson revealed his divine secret in the same manner as he did with his first wife. The Bible recorded his last days in the hands of his enemies as follows: “then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.” (Judges 16:21, New King James Version).

No matter what we have achieved in life or for God, we must all recognise that His grace and mercies are the key elements supporting us. King David wrote: “when I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.’” (Psalms 94:18, New International Version). Similarly: Apostle Paul states, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”- 1st Corinthians 10:12 (New King James Version).

We need to be cautious and evaluate our conduct at all times. One of the ways to ensure we keep well on track in line with God’s expectations is to be mindful of the company or acquaintances we keep. Proverbs 27 verses 27 reads “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friends”. Also, Psalm 1 further give guidance on the acceptable pathways. It says “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of ungodly, nor stands in the paths of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful”.

Let us pray: “Father, by your unfailing mercy, help me to stand strong at all times. Help me to finish my race powerfully,” in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

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