Judges 16:28New Living Translation (NLT)
28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.”
Ever prayed an audacious prayer to the Lord? We see throughout Scripture men like Samson praying those prayers. Samson was literally blinded by his enemies as he fell to the sensual sin of sleeping with a woman who was not an Israelite. He was blinded first by deception and later physically by the Philistines.
Samson chose not to listen to his parents by marrying a Philistine girl. He walked away from the Nazarite vow. He disregarded the warning of God and disobeyed the Word of God. It was a stream of sin that tore his life apart.
As men, we can follow that same descent. We quit listening to those who are close to us. We stop listening to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and eventually quit reading God’s Word. Then we wonder why we are in the mess we are in.
One thing I love about the story about Samson is he cried out, “Lord, strengthen me!” He came to the end of himself. It took him to be like a donkey and push a wheel at a grinding mill. He found his end.
I must say, I too was at the grinding wheel. I was blinded by the enemy’s tactics. I was full of myself and full of pride. My house of cards came falling down. I cried out one dark night, “Lord, strengthen me!” And Jesus did.
How about you today? Are you blinded and walking in deception? Are you at a grinding wheel. Is there no hope in sight?
Ask Jesus to strengthen you. He is mighty to listen and mighty to safe.
Strength and Courage
Michael
