Cut Off My Big Toe - BUT I Will Stand Again!

"But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and

cut off his thumbs and his great toes." Judges 1:6

In the midst of the battle in Judges 1:1-7 God stops for a moment to tell us about King Adoni-bezek. He once captured seventy kings and humiliated them by cutting off their thumbs and big toes and made them eat the scraps from under his table.

• You see, part of the attack of the Enemy is to humiliate you.

• He strips you of your dignity,

• mortifies you,

• and brings you to shame.

It is a very painful feeling of a loss of self-respect.

I've had my King Adoni-bezek. My leader, who I respected to the highest, turned and disrespected me. Although he may have had his reasons and maybe they were valid to him, I was stripped of my dignity, humiliated and brought to shame in front of an audience. As a child of God I am taught to obey and respect the authorities placed before me. 1 Peter 2:18-20, so as I was taught, there was nothing to do but to stand there and take it.

Many said to me when I shared my pain, “How in the world did you take that? I would have told him something and left.” But the Lord had already prepared my heart, for He knew it was about to be broken. He gave me this scripture in 1Peter, so as instructed, I followed Jesus example, I stood and did not say a word. 1 Peter 2:21-23

During my devotional time, in tears, I cried to the Lord, “Why? I am trying to do everything to the best of my ability." “And the Lord answered, (KJV) “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 18:12 As I discussed this with my Sister-in-Christ she immediately said, “And the greater the humility, the greater the honor.” God has His way of allowing you to be humbled before He can honor you. So, what the Enemy meant for bad, God was working in my heart for good.

• Your big toe gives you balance so your enemy's humiliating attack is designed to knock you off balance, take you off course and knock you down.

• Why cut off your thumb? Your thumb causes you to be able to grip. Your enemy's attack is designed to weaken you and cause you to lose your grip, your strength, your joy. "...the joy of the Lord is your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10.

It's said that what does not kill you only makes you stronger. This is the time you look to the Author and Finisher of your faith who endured His cross and despised the shame but now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2-3

We all know that the word says you will reap what you sow. Galatians 6:7,

Judges 1:4-6 New Living Translation

"When the men of Judah attacked, the Lord gave them victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites, and they killed 10,000 enemy warriors at the town of Bezek. 5 While at Bezek they encountered King Adoni-bezek and fought against him, and the Canaanites and Perizzites were defeated. 6 Adoni-bezek escaped, but the Israelites soon captured him and cut off his thumbs and big toes.

But have you ever wondered when your enemy reaps, do they think about what they did to you? King Adoni-bezek did.

Judges 1:7 "Adoni-bezek said, “I once had seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off, eating scraps from under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They took him to Jerusalem, and he died there."

I don't know about you, but when I'm wronged, though my thoughts at the time maybe that they be paid back, but as time moves on, my heart only wants them to see the pain they caused, repent, and apologize. Romans 5:5

So, what would you do when your King Adoni-bezek cut off your big toe? Study your Word and prepare for the attacks.

”… knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity. And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.” Romans 5:3-4 Amp

Then follow Jesus example and leave it to God who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23 And know that “Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 Amp

God says, “______________, (insert your name) I've sent King Adoni-bezek to bring you down and humble you so that I can bring you up, for in due time I will exalt you! So hold on to Me and don't let go no matter how it seems. I'm still here! 1 Peter 5:6

Trust me! There is a due time for all! Come on here King Adoni-bezek and testify! Judges 1:5-7 (Smile)

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are God and God alone there were no God formed before you neither shall there be after. There is no other Saviour! So we humble ourselves under your mighty hand that your will and only your will be done, in our lives, with our lives, and through our lives.

You know the purpose of the enemy's humiliating attack. You allowed it and so you purposed it that we can become more like Christ. We thank you and we give you great praise!

It's in Jesus name we pray, Amen!

(Now make it personal)

Now get up and find that big toe and give God His praise! (smile):

Click on - In the Middle by Isaac Carree

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