Friday, July 5, 2024
Imagine being blind and captive! Now a prisoner of the Philistines, whom you had tormented for so long, you are bound and forced to grind grain like an ox. This is Samson's situation.
My heart breaks when I consider Samson’s plight, but I can relate. And, I bet those of us who have squandered the gifts God blessed us with, understand what Samson hadn’t yet begun to realize in prison. (Judges 16:20).
You see, I was blessed with an intact, extended family who loved me and Jesus! Yet I chose to turn my back on all of that and wandered in the wilderness for years. My pride and selfishness caused me to think that I could tough it out on my own. Sadly, I left a wake of brokenness and neglect behind me — the wreckage of relationships I had destroyed. For a couple of years, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would have to follow God’s call on my life. The Holy Spirit was working on my heart, and he drew me to him over time, just as he was drawing Samson to himself.
In Judges 16:23-27, the Philistine rulers threw a party to celebrate capturing Samson. Hoping to taunt their prisoner, they brought Samson out before all of the 3,000 guests, placing him between the pillars that held up the building.
Judges 16:28-30
28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, 30 he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.
Samson’s life shows us that even when you think things are too far gone - God can redeem. No matter how far away from God we are, no matter how bad our life looks, we are one decision away from realizing the purpose we are given by God. All we have to do is realize that God will help us unlock the potential and the purpose in each of our lives.
Questions:
Do you think you have out-sinned God’s capacity to forgive? Have you brought this sin to God in repentance?
Next Steps:
Spend some time thinking about your relationship with God. Remove whatever stands in the way of deepening your relationship with him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your immense capacity to forgive! I am sorry for all the times I have tried to forge ahead on my own. Give me the desire to turn from my sin and return to you with my whole heart. I want my life to bring glory to you and you alone. Help me move forward in the purpose and plan you have for me. In your beautiful name, I pray.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 37:3-4
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
This post was written by Lauri White, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.