One More Time Judges 16:28NKJ
Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
At birth Samson was called into a Nazirite vow. It consisted of never tasting alcohol, staying away from the dead, and never cutting the hair. (A lifestyle of outward consecration.) 1. Love God. 2. Loving our neighbor.
Samson’s disobedience cost him his sight, strength, usefulness, anointing, and not to mention his testimony.
Hear this word, don’t count him out! God heard his cry for mercy; therefore, his hair begin to grow again. His supernatural strength returned, and God gave him another opportunity.
The Spirit of the Lord gave me this simple word. I believe our society as a whole has stopped dreaming. Believing in authority has become a joke, storing up trophy’s of the past, while forfeiting the future, just as Samson did.
Here’s the good news. In Hebrews 11, Samson finished his life victoriously, and he’s named among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
There’s several simple facts to remember from this story in Judges.
God heard Samson’s cry, and he hears yours.
Question: Do you have a cry? Psalm 61:1KJ Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2. Restoration is a process. (There’s no overnight success or come backs.)
Galatians 6:1-3NKJ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Galatians 6:1-3TM Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
Samson’s hair didn’t grow overnight, it’s was a process.
Opportunity will come again.
The body of Christ isn’t feeble, weak and we sure aren’t quitters.
Isaiah 40:31TMBut those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.
How do you wait?
It’s not about me.
Presently, my Christian walk is about others. Investing into our children, as well as people we don’t even know.
Judges 16:30NKJ Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
Two Things to Remember:
1. His love never lets you off.
Hebrews 12:6NLT For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
God’s punishment brings results.
Hebrews 12:11NLT No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
His love will never let you go.
Remember in Luke 15, when the Prodigal son came back home, his father was waiting for him. (The old man begin to run!)
Jesus is... my homeostasis, my stability, strength, assurance, confidence, and the One constant in my life. Following Him has been both exhilarating and excruciating. Everyday filled with Him is invigorating and exciting, and as the "Great Physician" He isn't willing to leave me as He finds me. Each day He makes me like Him, even when it is painfully obvious how unlike Him I really am, and that is where the pruning begins! He does the surgery that only He can do in a way that only He can, “and so I come to You LORD today as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto YOU.” My stability rises from the cry of the mainure of old until the ascension of Christ. Eternity past, present, and future, we are in HIM, where we live and move and have our being. He keeps my boat upright, through the storms of life, all the way to the other side.
Benediction.
