DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 14:1-32; Psalm 119:1-40; Mark 4:21-41
And He [Samson] smote their [the Philistines] hip and thigh with
a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the
rock Etam. Judges 15:8
Samson had battled against the Philistines with great success. But
he realized that if he was to continue to be victorious, there had to be
times when he withdrew from the battle in order to renew his
strength. So we find him “in the cleft of the rock Etam”. So it is with
ourselves. We constantly wage a battle against the forces of evil, and
expend energies in the service of the Lord. It is of critical importance
that we withdraw from the battle and retire to the “cleft of the rock”
to renew our strength for future days. —W. H. Burnett
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou rock of my soul. —W. O. Cushing