– Scripture:

                           One More Time

They had him standing between the pillars. Samson said to the young man, acting as his guide, “Put me where I can touch the pillars that hold up the temple so I can rest against them.” The building was packed with men and women, including all the Philistine tyrants. And there were at least three thousand in the stands watching Samson’s performance.

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!

Then Samson reached out to the two central pillars that held up the building and pushed against them, one with his right arm, the other with his left. Saying, “Let me die with the Philistines,” Samson pushed hard with all his might. The building crashed on the tyrants and all the people in it. He killed more people in his death than he had killed in his life. His brothers and all his relatives went down to get his body. They carried him back and buried him in the tomb of Manoah, his father, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
He judged Israel for twenty years.

                                                  Judges 16:25–31 MSG

 – Reflection:

Samson was a man placed here on earth to help the Israelites. He was to Judge the others who were persecuting God’s people; where they were weak, he would be strong and stand in the gap for them. Like many of us men, Samson had the same problem. His flesh. It would lead him down a road that would have him placed in chains and tortured and laughed at for the rest of his time. On what was to be his last day Samson asked for the Lord God to grant him his strength ONE MORE TIME, he did and he buried all the tyrants and non-believers under the rubble with him. Even though it took his life he still asked for God’s favor over him.

Where do we go from here?

Even in our weakened state of the human condition, we can call on God and ask that we be granted his power to bring honor to the kingdom. Just like Samson, if we abuse it, it will be taken away, and we will have to pay for everything we set wrong without the strength of God helping us throughout. When you truly find out what you are supposed to do for God and can see the path he placed before you, it would be stupid to turn from that and do your own thing. Doing his work for others is what we are here for, and he will make a way for that to ensure you live well.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, we come to you on this day you created to honor the things and blessings you have placed on our lives. Sometimes, it feels as though what you have given us are burdens but you know better for us. Help us to keep choosing you each day and laying down our wants for yours. May we bring honor to your name and strength to the causes you have placed us at the head of. In Jesus’ name, we say. Amen.