Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.” And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars.
Judges 16:23-25
Father God, I live in a society where they attempt to make a spectacle of me and my faith. Whether it is cajoling or making a mockery of my worship, the world treats those of us who believe in You as if we are foolishly deceived. Our kindness is perceived as weakness. Our sacrifice is viewed as being gullible. Our gentleness is seen as being powerless. They elevate their worlds and their gods at the expense of You. They present as legitimate and superior their ways because they experience some semblance of success in the here and now, and often at what I believe to be Your Kingdom’s expense. Grant me today Your divine patience and grace to endure until Your deliverance comes. LORD, help me to curb my righteous indignation and spiritual outrage. Help me to get beyond the surface challenges and see the greater Kingdom opportunities and implications of what I am experiencing. LORD, give me the courage and boldness to stand in the midst of it, trusting and believing that You will bring glory to Your Name. My soul longs to see Christ lifted up and Your Name glorified. Grant me the wisdom to know what to say, when to say and how to say so that my words might be easy on their ears but piercing to their souls. Turn all that I see broken in this world to good, bringing praise and glory to Your Name by all who witness Your power. Have Your way with me and all the circumstances I find myself in. I pray this in Jesus’ Name.