Faith in the Journey - Pt. 5

 

Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.” And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained. Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. (Judges 16:23-30 ESV).

 

I have spoken with many who have come to the conclusion that they have failed so miserably in their lives that there simply was no possible redemption for them. Our reading today reminds us that is not true. God character and grace is one of mercy and forgiveness. Samson was called to an important role. He was to take the lead in delivering God’s people from their ene­mies, the Philistines—and for this task he received a special blessing of strength. Samson was so strong that he tore a lion apart with his bare hands, carried a city gate on his shoulders, and killed a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey (cf. Judges 13-15). But Samson was also foolish in his actions. He disobeyed God’s call in many ways. Even­tually he fell in love with a Philistine prostitute, Delilah, who secretly worked for his enemies. God took Samson’s strength away, and Delilah managed to get him captured (cf. Judges 16:1-21). The Philistines gouged out his eyes and made him grind grain like an ox. For a major assembly at their temple, they brought him out for entertainment. Then Samson prayed, “Please, God, strengthen me just once more.” And God strengthened him to break the pillars of the temple and bring it crashing down on the Philistines.

 

If any of us have turned away from God, there is still hope. We can ask for forgiveness through Jesus Christ, who died to pay for our sins, and God will deliver us and lead us to live a new life.