The Enduring Impact of Our Actions and Choices

In the last lesson, we reviewed a little bit about what it means to be a daughter of the King. Over the next few weeks, we will reflect on five biblical examples: their journeys of faith, patience, and hope, and how, as daughters of the King, these examples can inspire us to serve Him with joy and purpose.

 Although our first example is unnamed in the Bible, she holds a pivotal role in Israel’s history. We can draw strength and inspiration from the faith, patience, and hope shown by Manoah’s wife, the mother of Samson. (Judges 13)

An angel of the Lord appeared to her while she was barren. He announced that she would conceive a son who would be set apart as a Nazirite. The angel gave specific instructions in Judges 13:4:

Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

She immediately goes to her husband to share everything the Angel of the Lord told her. But Manoah wanted a bit more reassurance and prayed for God to send the angel back again (Judges 13:9).

Once again, the Angel of the Lord appears to her only. This time, she goes to get her husband so he can see and hear for himself. (Judges 13:10-11).

For a second time, the Angel reveals what they must do regarding the child. They ask Him to stay so that they can offer a sacrifice to Him; He tells them to make a sacrifice to God.

They do as the Angel asks and prepare a sacrifice to God. Then, the Angel does something extraordinary, confirming who He is, and Manoah is extremely afraid! It is here that we see her faith and her example to her husband.

Look at Judges 13:19-24 with me:

So Manoah took the kid with the meal-offering, and offered it upon the rock unto Jehovah: and the angel did wondrously, and Manoah and his wife looked on. For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of Jehovah ascended in the flame of the altar: and Manoah and his wife looked on; and they fell on their faces to the ground. But the angel of Jehovah did no more appear to Manoah or to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of Jehovah. And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. But his wife said unto him, If Jehovah were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meal-offering at our hand, neither would he have showed us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these. And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and Jehovah blessed him.

Manoah was tempted to fearfully overreact after the visit, yet his wife encouraged him with her insightful words of faith.

What about us? I would dare say there are many, many times we need to use words of faith and encouragement in our homes. But do we know how?

As Daughters of the King, we are to serve Him in the home, just as Manoah’s wife did. She encouraged her husband without being disrespectful or trying to assert dominance.

Turn with me to Titus 2: 1-5:

But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine: that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience: that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:

Before I retired from my long-time career, I spent over twenty years as a leader. There were moments when the authority I held at work made it challenging to maintain a balance between work and home life. I often sought forgiveness from my husband and children for my shortcomings.

Ladies, as daughters of the King, do we teach our daughters to be respectful wives as God intended? I’ve had many conversations with my girls about how, at times, I was not the example I should have been. I am so thankful they have forgiven me.

Being respectful does not mean bowing down and following your husband’s rules without question. It means being a good wife who is obedient to Christ, which in turn will make us the wife God would have us to be. We will want this for our lives!

Turn with me to Ephesians 5:22-33

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Husbands, love your wives as you love yourselves. Cherish her. If you do this, I believe your wife will have no problem loving and respecting you as God would have her to do. Ladies, when we do this, we are serving Christ.  It is not demeaning – but God-pleasing. 

We should be encouraging our daughters to embrace their roles as Christian wives and mothers. Let’s show them the joy of dressing modestly. I worry that this beautiful value is slipping away. I find it hard not to feel sad when I see young women wearing tight-fitting or revealing outfits. It happens more often than not these days.

Ladies, let’s make sure we and our children don't become stumbling blocks! The way we dress and how we guide our daughters in their choices is essential. Let’s speak up with love! Mothers, grandmothers, and daughters of the King, your words matter! Women have a remarkable ability to influence and inspire, and that impact can last forever.

When it comes to caring for our little ones, it’s so important that we prioritize their spiritual needs. Whether we’re their mom, aunt, caregiver, or play another role in their lives, teaching them to put God first is crucial.

Samson was far from perfect, but God repeatedly transformed his poor choices from tragedy to triumph. As we study the life of Samson, we must understand that God is all-powerful and can utilize our failures to fulfill His will and purposes (Rom. 8:28). He highlights the significance of self-control (Titus 2:11-12) and reassures us that if we remain steadfast in our faith, God will remain steadfast with us (1 John 1:9-10). Let us take a lesson from his life: no matter how far we stray, it’s never too late to return to God.

At his death, Samson prayed for strength to destroy the Philistines who had gathered to make sacrifices to Dagon (the Philistine god) because they believed he had delivered Samson into their hands (Judges 16:23-31). I do not doubt that his mother influenced Samson’s spirituality.

What about us? Are we guiding our children on their journey to becoming strong Christians? Do we help them grasp the significance of the church for which Jesus Christ sacrificed His life?

Take a moment to reflect: Is your child grounded in their faith? If not, as someone who loves and nurtures them, what steps will you take to help them on this path?

Like Manoah’s wife, let us set an example of encouragement and inspire others to do the same!

Keep this in mind: whatever we teach our children will endure, as they are likely to remember and pass it on to others. Our actions and choices will have a lasting impact, whether positive or negative. It's up to us!

Lord willing, our next lesson will be on The Wise Woman of Abel- Bethmaachah. (2 Samuel 20).

Have a blessed day!

Love,

Leah