We are now at the end of our series "When light is conquerred by darkness." I hope that we have learned so much in the life of Samson. He’s physically strong but morally weak.
Today, we will study about how those overtaken by darkness are redeemed. We know how God loved us and despite of our disobedience, he’s not ceasing to show His love towards us!
IV. HOW THOSE OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS ARE REDEEMED
However, despite all these, Samson’s story was not finished yet, from 16:28-31 it had a continuation – there was redemption. How did it happen?
A. THE LORD REMEMBERED HIM – (16:28-29)
SAMSON CALLED TO THE LORD. This was not the first time Samson did it, in Judge 15:17-19, after he fought the Philistines, he became thirsty, and HE CALLED ON THE LORD, In response, GOD SPLIT THE HOLLOW PLACE SO THAT WATER CAME OUT. When he drank his strength returned and he revived, Will God answer him again despite the blunders he had committed?
This poor man cried and the Lord heard him,
and saved him out of al his troubles. (Psalm 34:6)
The Lord is near to the broken hearted,
and saves those who are crushed in the spirit (Psalm 34:18)
But pastor, he died with the Philistines? Take note, “What His prayer request?”
O Lord God, please REMEMBER ME, JUST THIS TIME, O God,
that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two years.. Let me die with the Philistines!
To remember does not mean God has forgotten Samson. The fact was in his escapades with the women, Samson had forgotten God but God will not forget him. When he called to Him, God REMEBERED him.
1.Noah: Gen 8:1 – God caused the flood to subside
2.Abraham: Gen. 19:29 – God brought Lot our of Sodom
3.Israelites: Ex. 2:24 – God would deliver them thru Moses
4.Hannah: 1Sam 1:19 – Lord gave Hannah a child
5.Thief: Lk 23:42-43 – Lord brought him with Him in Paradise.
Samson may not have even have the best of motivation, but from the story we know God answered His prayer.
If you have been born again, yes you may fall into temptation and sin. You will be miserable like Samson, God, like a CONCERNED FATHER and SHEPHERED, will chastise you with His rod and His staff, yet HE will never desert you, nor forsake you, when you call un Him… HE WILL ANSWER YOU!
B. THE LORD STILL USED HIM (16:30-31)
Despite Samson’s weaknesses, his fall and his consequent vindictiveness we read in verses 30–31 two positive comments –
1. HE was still able to function as deliver, he killed 3000 of God’s enemies. In fact, in his death he killed more than when he was alive.
2.HE judged Israel twenty years. That means during those times, Israel, had occasional reliefs from bondage because of Samson. The Lord can use even the sinful to accomplish His purpose and bring praise to His name (see Gen. 45:8 50:20; 2Ch 25:20; Ac 2:23; 4:28; Ro 8:28-29, NIVSB, 351)
CONCLUSION: The Bible is truly inspired and reliable, it will not fail to state even that which is not positive. However, being inspired it is PROFITABLE, in this case 3 ways –
1. IF WE ARE NOT WATCHFUL, WE CAN BE OVERTAKEN BY DARKNESS.
“Take heed that you stand lest you fall.”
A. WE CAN BE MISFOCUSED – Guard our EYES (Ambition and Passion)
B. WE CAN TAKE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES LIGHTLY, we allow the little sins in our lives to entice us and dictate the course of our lives.
C. WE CAN PLAY WITH OUR ENEMIES UNKNOWINGLY,
Watch out the company you take, your hobbies and pre-occupation.
You may be in the field of the enemy rather than God.
D. WE CAN SUCCUMB TO TEMPTATIONS
We should always pray, remain spiritually fit and consult godly people.
Don’t use the excuse that you are active in church, and the Lord is using you. The Lord could use even Satan to achieve His divine purpose. TAKE HEED… GUARD yourself if and don’t take chances –
The closer you are drawn to the Lord, the father you’ll be from the world.
The closer you draw yourself to the world, the more difficult it is to come near the Lord.
CHOOSE TODAY, whom you will serve or please the World (ruled by darkness), or the Lord (being Light can dispel away darkness)
God’s strength behind you and His arms beneath you are all you need for the task before you. (ODB, August 9, 1978)
2. SAMSON REMINDS US OF GOD’S LONG-SUFFERING AND CEASELESS LOVE (10:16).
As the Lord has taken heed and answered the prayer of stubborn and unfaithful Israel. He did the same to Samson. He remembered Him and still used Him. We may be unfaithful to God our love for Him may wane but He remains faithful to us, His love for us endures forever! So even if we have fallen, why not like the prodigal son, RETURN to His loving embrace and experience His favor again.
3. SAMSON POINTS US TO A PERFECT LIGHT.
Samson was supposed to be a Savior, Deliver, a bright light to his nation, But because of a flaw in his character, which he allowed to dominate his life and actions, he was not able to fully serve His purpose.
However, because of God’s love, God sent another SAMSON/LIGHT….
a. Like Samson and Israel, Jesus was born from special providence of God, from a VIRGIN. His birth was prophesied through the angel of the Lord.
b. Like Samson and Israel, He was consecrated to God and called by God, He obeyed perfectly unto death.
c. Like Samson and Israel, Jesus was blessed by God, His strength was not because of anything physical, nor in his long uncut hair. HE was born in weak human flesh, yet He did not PERMIT TEMPTATION TO MANIPULATE HIM, He did not PLAY with TEMPTATION, and was not PRESSURED by TEMPTATION. Even unto death he trusted and obeyed His Heavenly Father
No wonder God blessed Him and exalted Him and given Him the name which is above Samson and every other name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11).
Invitation – John 8:12 and Heb 12:2
LAY ASIDE every encumbrance and the sin, which easily entangles us, LET US RUN the race set before us with perseverance. As long as have them, you permit the ENEMY to have control over you, As long as you play with TEMPTATION, and let it OPPRESS you, you will not have PEACE, like Samson, you’ll FAIL!
Prov. 28:13; Turn away from Sin, and Go back to God.
Like a Father, He’s waiting for you with open arms!
FIX our eyes, not on Samson, nor today’s Samson, but FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfected of faith… Having been made perfect, HE BECAME TO ALL THOSE WHO OBEY HIM the source of ETERNAL SALVATION (Heb 4:9)
