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The overarching question this Sunday was, from what do you need Redemption?
Is it sinful deeds, it is depression, fear, sorrow or sadness?
God has the answer for all of our problems if we turn to Him.
Judges 16 tells the sad tale of Samson. He was a judge in Israel but he forsook his Nazirite vows and turned away from God. The consequences were severe as he lost his strength when he fell victim to the trickery of the enemy. There was continuous deceit in this story but the Lord allowed Samson to win battles over the Philistines. Later he met a prostitute named Delilah and fell in love with her. The Philistine rulers told her that if she could find out the source of his great strength, they could overpower him and would pay her 100 shekels of silver. She charmed Samson and learned that his strength was in his hair, and the Nazarite vow he had observed from birth. If they cut his hair, he would be powerless to defend himself.
Judges 16 tells the sad tale of Samson. He was a judge in Israel but he forsook his Nazirite vows and turned away from God. The consequences were severe as he lost his strength when he fell victim to the trickery of the enemy. There was continuous deceit in this story but the Lord allowed Samson to win battles over the Philistines. Later he met a prostitute named Delilah and fell in love with her. The Philistine rulers told her that if she could find out the source of his great strength, they could overpower him and would pay her 100 shekels of silver. She charmed Samson and learned that his strength was in his hair, and the Nazarite vow he had observed from birth. If they cut his hair, he would be powerless to defend himself.
She cut his hair and the Philistines put him in shackles then gouged out his eyes and made him grind grain like a donkey. Later, the Philistines brought out Samson to entertain them, and he asked to be placed near the pillars to balance himself. He placed one hand on the right pillar and one on the left.
Then Samson prayed, Judges 16:28 “Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And the Lord answer his prayer as he pushed the pillars. 16:30 “And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines. Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So, the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.”
Samson made so many mistakes and yet, God allowed him to redeem his story by defeating the Philistines in a massive way. Samson had realized who the enemy truly was and who God was. When he cried out to God, God listened and heard his pleas for help. God showed grace towards Samson. He did not deserve to be redeemed, restored and strengthened but God was merciful toward him. The grace God showed Samson, he shows to each of us as we are sinner too and will be restored, redeemed and forgiven if we cry out to Him.
The other story of redemption that Pastor related to us was the story of Ruth. Naomi and her husband had left Judah during a time of famine and gone to live in Moab. They had 2 sons who grew and married Moabite women. When the father and both sons died, Naomi was grieved and encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families and remarry.
Samson made so many mistakes and yet, God allowed him to redeem his story by defeating the Philistines in a massive way. Samson had realized who the enemy truly was and who God was. When he cried out to God, God listened and heard his pleas for help. God showed grace towards Samson. He did not deserve to be redeemed, restored and strengthened but God was merciful toward him. The grace God showed Samson, he shows to each of us as we are sinner too and will be restored, redeemed and forgiven if we cry out to Him.
The other story of redemption that Pastor related to us was the story of Ruth. Naomi and her husband had left Judah during a time of famine and gone to live in Moab. They had 2 sons who grew and married Moabite women. When the father and both sons died, Naomi was grieved and encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families and remarry.
One did but Ruth did not. She vowed to stay with Naomi, Ruth 1:16-17. “But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” Ruth wanted to stay with Naomi and take her God as her own.
Therefore, both women returned to Judah and were impoverished. Naomi sent Ruth to glean in the fields as the Jews did not strip their fields, but left some produce for those who were poor to take and thus survive. At some point, Ruth met Boaz a distant relative of Naomi and she encouraged her to stay in his fields as he had been kind to them. Naomi played matchmaker and Boaz sought to marry Ruth. He first inquired if any other relative would buy Naomi’s land knowing that marrying the Moabite daughter-in-law was part of the deal. No one wanted to do this, so Boaz as her closest kinsman redeemer was able to marry her. She had a son with Boaz and they named him Obed. He was the grandfather of King David.
Out of the ashes of despair, God redeemed the life of both Naomi and Ruth. As they clung to God, he restored their fortunes and their relationships. In Joel 2:25-26 God makes a promise that is true for Naomi and Ruth as well as you and me. I have claimed this and seen it in my life.
Out of the ashes of despair, God redeemed the life of both Naomi and Ruth. As they clung to God, he restored their fortunes and their relationships. In Joel 2:25-26 God makes a promise that is true for Naomi and Ruth as well as you and me. I have claimed this and seen it in my life.
“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.
26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”
26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”
God says he will restore the years, not that he will make things like they were before. Naomi and Ruth could not have their husbands back, but God made a new way for them that was filled with new blessings. He will do that for you and me too. We just need to trust Him for the restoration and lean into Him. God will show himself faithful, just as He did for Ruth and Naomi.
Back to the question from the beginning, where do you need redemption from sin in your life?
Back to the question from the beginning, where do you need redemption from sin in your life?
Cry out to Him, Confess and Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Where do you need restoration in your life?
Look for new beginnings and ways that God has blessed you.
His restoration is new and different and will come as you trust and walk with Him.
Linda
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
Linda
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Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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