Daily Devotional

3rd July 2022

Scripture Reading: Judges 16: 1-25

Focus

“Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.” (Judges 16: 1)

It is instructive to observe that whereas it was not Samson’s fault that he saw a harlot in Gaza, his error began the moment he went in to her. That harlot was obviously not the only one in Gaza. There were other people in Gaza, but Samson chose to create an affinity with the wrong person in the environment he just got into. He came to a place where he should choose the right relationships, but he chose the wrong one.

Friend, get used to seeing the wrong things without getting involved. Get used to being tempted, yet refusing to yield. Get used to being in the midst of people who want to lead you to the wrong direction, and still be committed to the right direction. Get used to standing by your consecration no matter how common it is for others to break theirs. Get used to standing alone if you have to, in the midst of those who have chosen the wrong path.

Samson could have ignored the harlot he saw in Gaza and focused on his mission of wiping out the Philistines, but he chose to give attention to negativity. He made the mistake of paying attention to what he should ignore. Glean the wisdom of refusing to give attention to your distractions and temptations. Build the habit of saying no to that pathway that will put you in conflict with God. Learn to say no to that ‘harlot’ in ‘Gaza’.

The plan of the men in Gaza was to kill Samson, and indeed they laid ambush for him all night whilst he was with a harlot. Guess what? That temptation you are paying attention to has more destruction hiding behind it, waiting for you to fall into temptation so that you can be cut short in destiny. That temptation you are paying attention to, is only there to help you miss the mark. That pathway that is not of God has destruction hidden within.

No matter what happens in your ‘Gaza’, always remind yourself that you didn’t come to be with a ‘harlot’. Not everything in Gaza is meant for you.

Declaration

I face my assignment; no time for ‘harlots’ in ‘Gaza’, in Jesus’ name!

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Further Reading

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Memory Verse

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6: 22)

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