“Remember me and strengthen me only this once, O God”

Judges 16:28

The story of Samson is recorded in Judges 13-16. He was a Nazarite, a person who abstained from wine and who does not cut the hair. Even before he was born, the LORD had set him apart. He became a very strong man with super powers. He defeated the Philistines everywhere he went and judged Israel. But he came to be deceived and lost all his powers. The Philistines gouged out his eyes and was put in shackles and was made to ground the mill in prison.

He was made to perform and thousands came to see him. Here, he cried to the LORD, “LORD GOD, remember me and strengthen me only this once, O God, so that with this one act of revenge I may pay back the Philistines for my two eyes” (Jdg. 16:28). With that, he leaned his weight against the pillars and killed all of them.

Let us learn the following lessons from the life of Samson today:

1. The LORD creates us for a purpose. Samson had been set apart even before he was born. As long as he obeyed the LORD, he was strong and he saved the Israelites. Dear reader, you have also been set apart and called by the LORD for a purpose. What you are today and what you are doing now is probably not what the LORD called you for. Or is it? It is unlikely that the LORD called you to be a drunkard.
2. To do His work, we must depend upon Him always. Samson was strong as long as he was following God. But as he deviated from the path God made for him, he was deceived and was captured. The reason many of us fall into sin is because we do not follow God’s directions.
3. The road God set for us is not always easy. There will be countless numbers of difficulties and enemies to be defeated. Samson also had to face such difficulties. But he overcame them as long as he was following God. Today, why are we apprehensive about fighting these enemies? It is because we have failed to toe the line God set for us.
4. Victory and strength lies with the LORD. It seemed that Samson’s strength lies with his hair. But it was not. It was God. Our own strengths and wisdom will often fail us. But the LORD never fails.