May 22, 2016
Judges 16: 22-31
22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been
shaved. 23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great
sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered
Samson, our enemy, into our hands.” 24 When the people saw him, they praised
their god, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who
laid waste our land and multiplied our slain.” 25 While they were in high
spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called
Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among
the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I
can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.”
27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the
Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women
watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “Sovereign LORD,
remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one
blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson reached
toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself
against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30
Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his
might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he
killed many more when he died than while he lived. 31 Then his brothers and his
father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried
him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led
Israel twenty years.
Title: Samson’s Revenge
Message: God listens to an earnest
prayer. God left Samson as the latter let deception overcome him. However, the
Lord listened to him as he prayed and gave him the strength he needed for his
revenge, which meant death to him but safety to his people. Samson sacrificed
his life for the sake of the Israelites.
Promise to Claim: Despite our shortcomings, God
is always with us. He’s willing to extend us forgiveness for all our misdeeds.
All we need is pray and ask for it.
Command to Obey: Believe in God. Communicate
with Him through prayer. Ask forgiveness for all of your shortcomings. Fear not
the consequences of your misdeeds.
Warning to Heed: Unfaithfulness brings
death.
Application: Just like Samson, I will
never let trials bring me down. I will seek God’s forgiveness for all of my wrongdoings
and His blessing for all that I need to fulfil.
