Going through the motions

How easily we succumb to the routine! How quickly we fall into the rut! How subtly Satan can convince us that all is well! There is much in scripture to suggest that we can become so accustomed to following the same old procedure that we drift into a state of neglect.

It was said of Samson that he was the strongest of men. He killed a lion with his bare hands; he slaughtered an army of Philistines; he was the champion of his people Israel. Things were going great "as the spirit came upon him."

So enamored was he by his great strengths that he ignored the subtle efforts of Satan to destroy him. When the women Delilah caught his eye he yeilded to her persuasions and told her the secret of his heart. With the cutting of his hair he was as weak as other men!

Little did he realize the mess he had gotten into "he was still going through the motions." When Delilah said, "The Philistines be upon thee Samson," he scornfully declared, "I'll arise and shake myself as at other times." He didn't realize "the Lord was departed from him." (Judges 16:20) He was just going through the motions!

We are remarkably like that today. Sunday after Sunday we make our way to church and go away the same way we came. We say our prayers but nothing happens because we don't yeild! We put programs together but the Spirit is missing! We have a form of Godliness but deny the power! (II Tim. 3:5)

When will we realize that "Going through the motions" isn't enough. We desperately need to weep between the porch and the altar for a fresh touch of God. It's our only hope to salvage the church and win the world.

In Christ's Love,
Rev. W. Scott Lockard

©2003 Pastor Lockard's Living on the Bright side Ministries