Judges 13: 2-5 2-5 At that time there was a man named Manoah from Zorah from the tribe of Dan. His wife was barren and childless. The angel of God appeared to her and told her, “I know that you are barren and childless, but you’re going to become pregnant and bear a son. But take much care: Drink no wine or beer; eat nothing ritually unclean. You are, in fact, pregnant right now, carrying a son. No razor will touch his head—the boy will be God’s Nazirite from the moment of his birth. He will launch the deliverance from Philistine oppression.”
In the Bible Samson had a power and strength that was God given. His hair was his strength. As long as it not cut he had strength to defeat the dreaded Philistines. This was tested time and again. Then, Samson fell in love with a Philistine named Delilah and she tricked him again and again by asking what gave him strength, she professed to love him but sure enough she sold him out when she finally found out what gave him strength she told the Philistines (for money – a bribe) exactly how his strength was accomplished. So what did they do, she cut his hair and they captured him, enslaved him and made him work in the prison, they poked out his eyes. I mean imagine him going from strong and standing tall to imprisoned and blind. When his hair began to grow back the Philistines wanted to show off and had Samson brought to a great room, there he was tied to two pillars. He said, “28 And Samson cried out to God: Master, God! Oh, please, look on me again, Oh, please, give strength yet once more. God! With one avenging blow let me be avenged On the Philistines for my two eyes!” he pushed the pillars which held the ceiling and the room fell, killing all the philistines and Samson. Prayer answered.
Isaiah 40: 29, 31 He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might. He increases strength… those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint.
Life is full of beat down’s. There are days when you (or I) would rather just roll over and pull the covers up, nope - not today. When the beat downs come in waves it can be tough to stay up and on but don’t let the defeat win. There IS hope. I’m sure Samson felt defeated as he stood between the pillars with no eyes and no strength. Yet he prayed for God to restore his strength just one last time. God answered that prayer and He will answer yours. You just need to pray it.
I don’t know what you are going through today friend but I pray you have the strength to ask God in to the situation and get His help to rise above it. I promise He will hear you. I can’t promise the answer will come today, or even tomorrow, I can’t promise it will look like what you think it should. Keep this in mind, God sees your situation, He sees mine and He knows the perfect timing, He knows the perfect solution. He will calm your storm when the time is right. You just need to be ready and accept it.
Don’t give up, don’t stop praying. Keep the faith.
Dear Heavenly Father, You know my situation, you know the situation of those reading this. Come in to our hearts and our lives and bring peace, bring comfort, bring strength. Please stop the storms and let calm come to our hearts, minds and lives. Wrap us in your embrace and keep us there for the time it takes for us to feel safe. We need You and thank You for all things You bring. In Jesus Most Precious Name – Amen.