Gratitude for Humility. Judges 15-16; John 13

May the mumbling commence!

The path to blessing and life is built upon personal sacrifice.  Samson learned this truth the hard way.  After he was humiliated by Delilah and the Philistines, he returned to faithfulness to the Lord.  Samson was willing to sacrifice his life to defeat the enemies of the Lord.  Read from Judges chapter sixteen:

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me one more time so that I may pay back the Philistines for the loss of my eyes."  Then Samson put his hands on the center pillars of the temple and pushed against them with all his might.  "Let me die with the Philistines," he prayed. And the temple crashed down on the Philistine leaders and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime. (Verses 28-30)

It took losing his physical vision to regain his spiritual vision.  The deceptions of the world become less enticing when we can no long see them.  Samson wanted revenge for his humiliation.  Samson was willing to pay for this revenge with his life… and that’s just what it cost him.  The Lord’s strength, through Samson, exacted revenge.  The Lord repaid.

The path to blessing and life is built upon personal sacrifice and service.  Jesus sought to teach the Twelve this truth as he washed their feet at the Passover meal.  Read from John chapter thirteen:

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing?  You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because it is true.  And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet.  I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.  How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them.  You know these things – now do them! That is the path of blessing.” (Verses 12-17)

Humble service is the path of blessing.  Be willing to serve people.  Be willing to get dirty serving.

The example of Jesus taught us these things.  We know them.  Now, let’s do them.

To humbly serve is the path of blessing.  It means sacrifice and humility.  Let’s do as Jesus has done before us.  Everything that we do, let’s do it with the humility of Christ.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out