Many times we wonder silently why GOD does not demonstrate HIS power and let our enemies have it. We wonder why HE never allowed the rich man to come back and warn his bothers. We wonder many things, yet the answer is right there in the scripture. GOD has always shown HIS majestic power over and over again and it is clear what we did and what happened.
Let’s take a look at the case of Samson.
i. Samson’s birth was announced by a very very senior Angel, referred to as “Angel of the LORD”, “A Man of GOD,”. Come on, use your head figure out Who this is. This Angel does not tell them HIS NAME because it is WONDERFUL. Isaiah 9:6. This birth of Samson was announced not once, but twice. Very specific instructions were given on how this child was to be raised, not once but thrice, twice by “ The Angel of The LORD” , once by the woman which shows her understanding of the instructions given to her. Now, the birth of JESUS was announced once in person by angel Gabriel, but the birth of Samson was announced by none other than, let’s call HIM, The Angel of The LORD. HE even waited for them to prepare a sacrifice and then rose up in the sacrifice. Now, dear people, what other demonstration of power are you waiting to see or read about. We keep on saying ‘O LORD, do something great!”. Well, HE did and we all know what happened.
ii. Samson our friend through his parents had all the instructions for how he was to live. No strong drinks, no unclean things and no hair cutting. Interesting to note that the instruction about the hair is given to the woman in Judges 13:5. This instruction is not repeated specifically between the woman and her husband and the conversation between the couple and The Angel of The LORD during the second visitation. The Angel of The LORD is clear in Judges 13:14 “....all that I commanded her let her observe.” The instruction about the hair cutting is not specifically mentioned again but it seems to me that the lady is excited about bearing a Nazirite but is not keen on the instructions of nurturing a Nazirite. Sounds familiar? The LORD decides to do great things with us but we miss on the little things, we miss out on the details, we are not keen on the details. From the first visitation, it is clear that the hair cutting and the being of a Nazirite are related but are separate special instructions. These instructions were given to the mother. Someone said the devil is in the details. If she did not communicate this to her husband separately and specifically, did she communicate it to Samson properly and with the weightiness it required? Just asking. We all know mothers are very important and children do what their mothers say. Don’t be deceived by these jezebels and ahabs who pretend not to be able to tell the difference between a male and female any more. They themselves say the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
Beloved, what specific instruction has The LORD given you? Do it the way HE said, don’t add or subtract anything, don’t go to the left or right, do it exactly as HE said. It is a matter of life and death.
The mother of Samson kept on adding her own words to what The LORD said . Judges 13:7. The LORD did not mention anything about death of Samson but the woman did. Hmm! Beloved, your words are very important. Repent of every evil word you have spoken knowingly or unknowingly, carelessly or carefully. May The LORD have mercy on us all!
Let us deliver messages as given to us by The LORD accurately, do not add or subtract, it has consequences. So, for those who like asking, where was GOD in the case of Samson. HE was right there and so was Samson’s mother, in the beginning of Samson and in the beginning of his end. Remember before Delilah there was Samson’s mother.
So, you are there also asking where is GOD in my life, in my circumstances? HE is right there and has given clear instructions. Find the clear instructions, start following the instructions. Find the breach. If it looks too far gone; cry, “O LORD have mercy on me!”
iii. Our friend Samson, goes to where the enemies of Israel are, where they live. Just like our other friend Dinah, daughter of Jacob. And we all know what happened. Doesn’t it say somewhere that bad company corrupts good morals? Aren’t we forbidden from just marrying anybody? But read in Judges 14:5, Samson and his father and mother went to the land of the philistines with the intention of marrying a person whom The LORD said don't marry them. The same father and mother who spoke to The LORD in person concerning their miracle child. In verse 9, the same Manoah and his wife are eating unclean things which they were told Samson should not eat. Lack of discernment. In my view, the parents of Samson played a foundational role in preparing him for his destruction. They supported him in playing “ let’s just move the boundaries a little” and the results were as you know. But, who is like The LORD, Romans 8:28 didn’t start now. The LORD has HIS way in the storm and in the whirlwind.
Parenting is not easy. The children we have, we love. They can be very strong headed. The Bible says that GOD chastises (punishes severely, reprimands, beats) those HE loves. In other words when you show GOD your big head, He brings you back to size using punishment, rebuke or the rod because HE loves you. Disciplining a child is the mark of love, not lavish parties and giving them whatever they want. Even GOD our FATHER does not give us everything we cry for. Ask JESUS.
In fact, someone said, when GOD gives you what you want, HE is either tired of you and is finishing up with you or HE is making you a trusted custodian of what is HIS for HIS purposes which are or shall be revealed to you. Beloved, spare the rod, spoil the child. You are the parent. You lead the child and show the way. So go ahead, say to the spoilt brat you are raising, “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you”, then pick up the rod or give a good spanking. They won’t die. They will live. The bible says count the cost before you build a tower. See incident of Creflo Dollar and his daughter. I never said it would be easy.
iv. And so, The LORD uses Samson to give the philistines a proper hammering. I think, and this is me, that The LORD wanted to use Samson to annihilate the philistines once and for all (Judges 14:4) but things went the way they did and the matter was dragged on unnecessarily. I mean, the man was a one man army. But what happened, Samson went and married from the people he was supposed to destroy and instead of destroying your enemy with one blow, you start playing tom and jerry with them. And we all know what happened.
The seemingly small hair issue caused the HOLY SPIRIT to depart from Samson, and tragedy upon tragedy, Samson did not even know it, and the enemies of GOD who were his enemies too, dealt with him cruelly, mercilessly.
Beloved, your enemy is cleverer than you and more seductive than you think. When the LORD tells you to stay away from them, do not be big headed and think you are sooo anointed and that you will overcome. Beloved, stay in your territory. Marry from within the closest ranks of your faith or you will be dealt with easily, similarly and mercilessly like Samson. Let me say it clearly, do not marry a man or a woman who does not believe in JESUS CHRIST, no matter what. Do not marry a person who esteems JESUS CHRIST lightly. Better stay single and see the goodness of GOD than marry a person from whom it will take the intervention of heaven to free you from their clutches, that is if you live to tell the story. Do not yoke yourself with strange people, with the enemies of GOD. Please don’t’. It will end in tears. Premium tears. Sad thing is that you will neither be the first nor the last.
How many great calls have fizzled out due to interaction with the enemies of GOD? The enemies of GOD are your enemies, don’t you know this. There is a reason GOD says they are HIS enemies. HE has said clearly “Do not yoke yourself with unbelievers” and you go ahead and yoke yourself with them and then wonder, “where is The LORD?” Beloved, HE left you, come back to your senses, repent and cry for mercy. And since for you, no angel big or small announced your birth, you will be in serious trouble out of which only GOD in HIS legendary mercy can deliver you. Yes, it will be a wonder indeed if you escape with your life. Samson did not. He died with his enemies and the enemies of GOD and his entire family buried him in his father’s grave.
Beloved, do what The LORD says. Why is it you going to minister in bars and in other dark places. Why can’t these people you are ‘ministering’ to come to church or look for you for ministration. Unless, The LORD has spoken very clearly to you, Beloved, avoid the enemies of GOD. Should you land in their hands they will show you and you will know that GOD is not their FATHER and mercy is not in their vocabulary. Do not yoke yourself with unbelievers.
And so, Beloved, despite the LORD pouring HIMSELF out entirely in the circumstances of Samson, in that:
i. HE announced the birth of Samson HIMSELF
ii. HE gave Samson immense supernatural power
iii. HE was with Samson even when Samson was sinning
Our friend Samson was overcome by these three things:
1. He himself, Samson, had an ungovernable spirit. He could not posses his reigns and he did not submit to The HOLY SPIRIT and The HOLY SPIRIT left him and came back out of mercy and the will of GOD.
Beloved, humble yourself in the sight and in the hands of GOD. Do what GOD has told you. Don’t fight Him or try to extend and justify the boundaries. Don’t go to the left or to the right. Just do it the way HE said, if you need a clarification ask HIM before you proceed. Be like Samuel, “LORD, if Saul hears this, he will kill me..” and The LORD gave Samuel further instructions.
2. Lack of zeal in the parents for the absolute will of GOD. Permitting what was forbidden in the life of Samson. The parents also were not keen on the commandments and the instructions of GOD.
Beloved, The LORD wants wholehearted disciples, not lukewarm people. HE says HE will spit lukewarm people out. HE says “ you will find ME, when you seek Me with all your heart”. “Love The LORD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”. Stop the half hearted and half baked attempts to serve The LORD. do it with all you got.
3. Both Samson , and his parents lacked discernment in the things of GOD.
4. Samson lacked self control. Beloved, when The HOLY SPIRIT is with you, you will have self control. If you don’t have self control, it’s time for a heart to heart with The LORD. Note that the heart to heart won’t do you any good, if you will not follow the instructions to the t.
Beloved, is this the case with us? Are we similar to Samson in that should The LORD visit us in a mighty way , we shall become ungovernable and be stubborn and go our own way unbridled? Let us wait and see what you will do, if you or I will fare better than our friend Samson.
Believe in The LORD JESUS CHRIST now, walk in HIS ways and you shall be saved and shall escape the wrath of The MOST HIGH when HE exercises HIS judgment. It is HIS right to do so.
Beloved, the scripture informs us, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15.
Do you want to know JESUS as your personal Lord and Savior? Your eternity is at stake! JESUS has opened the door of salvation to every person. But there is coming a day when the door will be closed. Today is the day of salvation. Choose to be in the family of GOD. JESUS died so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with HIM. Don't delay! And if you want to begin a relationship with GOD or resume a broken one, say this: O GOD, I come to YOU today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that JESUS died on the cross to save me and HE resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess JESUS as my Lord and Savior . I invite JESUS into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you JESUS for saving me and making me a child of GOD. Amen
