Whoa, cannot believe that we’ve hit day 19 and that we’ve covered 8½ books of the Bible. There are so many stories that I’m reading for the first time and details from other stories that are being re~learned. Reading the Bible for yourself is incredibly different from listening to a minister or lay leader read it to you (or even from perusing the scriptures during services).
I have to admit, there have been times when my eyes have glazed over (the incredible amount of laws, the division of the lands, etc) so I’ve had to really focus and eliminate distractions. I’ve found that the best times for me to read are in the mornings just after the kids leave for school, there’s no one hear except for the dog and me. I can settle in with my coffee and my Bible and just read.
I’ve decided not to write a SOAP every day but rather to write one every 5th day unless the spirit moves me to do otherwise. In the meantime, continue reading and God’s blessings be upon you…
SCRIPTURE
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.”
OBSERVATION
Samson, like many of us, had a weakness (his weakness happened to be women) and even when he knew the dangers of dealing with certain women (Delilah, honey, I’m looking at you), he kept falling into temptation. In his prayer, Samson acknowledges his sin and then prays the prayer of repentance and trust (“remember me” is the phrase commonly used by those who are asking God to bring them back into the fold).
APPLICATION
In my daily life I’m tempted to say things that I shouldn’t say or react to things in ways that I know are contrary to God’s ways, but I also work hard not to fall into a pattern of repeated sin.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your never ending grace and mercy. Thank you for the love and patience that You show me on a daily basis, even as I continue to test You.
I know that I stumble in my daily walk with You and I ask that You not forget who I am but remember me as Your daughter. Give me the strength to be silent when I need to be and the wisdom to use Your words when I need to speak.
Amen.
For more information about SOAP and its use for the Bible in 90 Days Challenge, please read What is SOAP? on Mom’s Toolbox.
