Don’t Gamble With God’s Blessings | Judges 14:10-14

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

And today’s a special one—it’s Thanksgiving Day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Marcus Sanfilippo from Flagler Beach, FL. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God’s Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Judges 14:10-14

“His father went down to the woman, and Samson prepared a feast there, for so the young men used to do. As soon as the people saw him, they brought thirty companions to be with him. And Samson said to them, ‘Let me now put a riddle to you. If you can tell me what it is, within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes, but if you cannot tell me what it is, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothes.’ And they said to him, ‘Put your riddle, that we may hear it.’ And he said to them,
‘Out of the eater came something to eat.
Out of the strong came something sweet.’
And in three days they could not solve the riddle.” — Judges 14:10-14

Samson had just been given a miracle—God’s Spirit gave him victory over a lion. Days later, instead of remembering that moment with gratitude, he turned it into a riddle at a party. He literally gambled with God’s blessing, making it about his wit and his pride.

That’s the danger for us, too. Instead of letting God’s gifts draw us to worship, we make them about us. We downplay His provision, take credit for His work, or use His blessings for our own advantage.

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day where we stop, notice God’s gifts, and give Him glory. But how often do we blow past His blessings—treating them casually, like Samson did?

Gratitude guards God’s glory, but pride gambles it away.

When you see the hand of God in your life—answered prayers, provision, protection—don’t turn it into a joke, a boast, or a throwaway moment. Slow down. Say thank you. Point the glory back to Him.

Thanksgiving isn’t just one day on the calendar. It’s a lifestyle that protects us from Samson’s mistake—taking a gift and making it a game.

ASK THIS:

1. What blessings in your life have you treated casually instead of giving thanks?
2. How can gratitude change the way you see God’s provision?
3. Where has pride robbed God of the glory He deserves in your story?
4. What are three specific things you can thank God for today?

DO THIS:

• Write down a list of 10 things you’re thankful for right now.
• Share at least one of them with your family or friends at the table today.
• Take one blessing you’ve been tempted to take credit for, and thank God out loud for it.
• End your Thanksgiving by praying a prayer of gratitude, not just for food, but for His faithfulness.

PRAY THIS:

Father, thank You for every gift You’ve given me. Forgive me for the times I’ve taken Your blessings lightly. Today I give You glory, not just for the food on my table, but for every victory and every provision in my life. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Give Thanks.”