Judges 13:24-25 And the woman bore a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.… That child was a dedicated child. Could any parent have a child, and not dedicate it? Could that parent be a Christian? Deal with that little child not as a plaything, but as a holy thing given you of God, and which you have given back to Him. Remember it, my children! You are God's child. Your body, your mind, and your soul belong to God. Remember it in your play, in your studies, when you get up in the morning. This "child" was still a growing child, when "the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times." God takes the initiative with us in everything; and there is no age so tender, and no thought or feeling so simple, but the Holy Spirit may be there. Is there a boy or a girl who could not say that they have thoughts, whispers, little inward voices, drawings of heart, which they have felt and knew to be of God? You will observe that "the moving of the Spirit" is placed immediately after "and the Lord blessed him." The "moving" is the "blessing." We should do well if we always looked at a good thought when it comes and say, "This is God blessing me. This thought is a benediction." You may notice that "the moving" was not only dated as to time, but dated as respects the exact place. So important a "moving" is, in God's sight. "The Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol." How precise! If we could see that register in heaven, we should find them all there in distinct order — the exact when, and the exact where, the Holy Spirit comes to us. It would be a solemn thing to confront that register. Have you kept any account? We often try; but the number wilt outstretch all our arithmetic! Doubtless it was "strength" which the "moving of the Spirit" gave to the young Samson. Strength is a special gift of the Holy Ghost. His operations are always strengthening. It is what we all, in our great weakness, particularly want; and therefore He particularly supplies. For we have to deal with very strong things — a strong will; a strong besetting sin; a strong tide of evil in us and about us; a strong invisible foe! We have to be very thankful that He who said, "Be strong!" has placed it among the offices of the Holy Ghost to "stablish, strengthen, settle" us. (J. Vaughan, M. A.). Parallel Verses KJV: And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.WEB: The woman bore a son, and named him Samson: and the child grew, and Yahweh blessed him. |
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