YOUR LIFE may seem like a small footprint, but every inch of it is so well thought out and considered by God.
He has a plan and a purpose for your life, and God intends to see everything come to pass.
He wants you to switch sides and make gains in Him.
The Narrative
WHEN GOD CALLED ABRAHAM, he said that through him, all his descendants shall be blessed. And God made way for them—none of his promises failed.
He still makes ways today, and he will make way for you.
The driving narrative in their relationship was holiness. Israel thrived in all that they did, until they slipped into evil during the time of the judges.
Israel forgot that their actions were spiritual markers, and God handed them over to their enemies.
For forty years, they suffered in the hands of the Philistines. Then, God sent an angel to the wife of Manoah.
“You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5)
The Mission
GOD WANTED TO RESTORE ISRAEL. He was sending them a deliverer—an anointed man to the rescue.
His birth will be unusual, and God had great things in store for his people.
The wife of Manoah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. They called him Samson.
Later in life, the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him.
Samson had everything going for him. He was called to deliver his people from the hands of the Philistines.
He was supernaturally strong—Samson defeated the enemies of his people. And whenever the Spirit came on him, he did great feats.
Samson was the joy of many, and God gave him victory after victory.
But over time, Samson was distracted. He began to rely on himself and became careless.
What will become of you when people see what you do—when they notice your mighty deeds?
Looking for love
HE LOOKED FOR LOVE in the wrong places and fell in love with a bad woman.
He was unaware that she was being paid by the Philistines to spend time with him.
She tried to find out the source of his strength, but he refused to tell her. And Delilah nagged him till he couldn’t stand it any more. (Judges 16:16)
Samson said to her that if his head were shaved, he would have no power. He told the enemy his secret.
He had vowed to serve God. His power was in his hair that he promised not to cut.
While he slept, Delilah got someone to cut the seven locks of hair, and Samson became weak.
Then, she cried that the Philistines were upon him. Samson got up like he will normally do, but the anointing had left him. (Judges 16:20)
Samson got up to a defeat. The Philistines caught him and gouged out his eyes. They shackled him, and Samson became their slave.
He sank to his nadir, but his hair began to grow. (Judges 16:22)
With God, you're never out of options
One more Option
FOR SAMSON, there seemed no way out. But he waited till the time was right and trusted God to make a change in his situation.
One day, they brought him to entertain them in their pagan worship. They thought that Samson was finished, but he wasn’t—there was still one option.
And Samson asked the man who brought him out to put his hands on the pillars that support the temple. He prayed that the Lord will remember and strengthen him once more.
Samson realised that God gave him life, and he must use it well.
When he switched sides, the question wasn’t who will let him, it’s who is going to stop him? He was stoked for maximum impact.
He braced himself against the pillars and said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” (Judges 16:30)
Samson pushed with all his strength and killed more Philistines than he ever did all his life. He lost the battle but did not lose the war.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
SAMSON COULD HAVE GIVEN UP—but he rose from the ashes of defeat.
No matter what you’re facing, do not give up.
With God, you’re never out of options. Switch to his side, and you’ll make the gains!
Enjoy your week.