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In the Old Testament scrolls, a tale in the book of Judges unfolds, 

Of Samson bold, and strength that holds, 

A mighty hero, with a mission divine, 

From birth God commanded him to taste no wine.  

From womb to world, with Godly diet, 

His strength divine, you couldn’t deny it. 

Guided by God, to follow the Creator’s map, 

His life’s a script, interesting to tap. 

God’s divine plan, a cosmic blend, 

God’s divine love, that never ends, 

With lions and thousands slain,  

Samson’s faith in God, made him greater even in the end. 

But pride, oh pride, like a sitcom plot twist, 

Brought Samson low, in a fatal tryst, 

In Delilah’s grasp, he lost his treasure, 

His strength diminished, what a painful measure. 

But fear not, friends, for redemption’s near, 

In rubble and dust, Samson’s end was clear. 

With pillars crashing, he took his stand, 

A hero’s comeback, oh so grand. 

So let’s learn from Samson’s show, 

A tale of faith, with highs and lows. 

In his story, we find our own hope, 

A journey of faith, will yield good crop. 

Hebrews 11:32-35 (KJV) – “³²And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: ³³Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. ³⁴Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.” 

After Abdon judged Israel for eight years, he died and was buried in Pirathon which is in the land of Ephraim (Judges 12:13-15). The Israelites did evil and God delivered them to the Philistines for forty years. A man named Manoah of Zorah from the tribe of Dan had a barren wife (Judges 13:1-2). The Bible constantly records various great people who have been born from mothers who were once barren. This shows that greatness can stem from barrenness. Fertility can arise from infertility. Possibility can come from impossibility and success can come from failure.  

Great people like Isaac, Jacob (whose name was later changed to Israel), Joseph, Samuel, and John the Baptist were born by once-barren mothers. Samson, the strongest person who ever lived, is no exception. According to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the name Samson means Sunlight or “like the sun.” It may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but Samson’s parents might have given him that name because Samson’s birth was like the light that is at the end of the tunnel or the dawn that comes after the darkest hour. The day of his birth signified a bright day after years of his parents patiently hoping to have a child.  

Hebrews 11:32 lists Samson as one of the heroes of faith. Therefore, we are going to focus on the faith of Samson.  

The Birth of Samson 

The name of Samson’s father was Manoah. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the name Manoah means rest. Samson’s mothers  name is not mentioned. She is more than once referred to as Manoah’s wife, which is the same as the wife of Manoah. Since Manoah’s name means rest, if we consider the phrase, “the wife of Manoah” and substitute the name Manoah with rest, we shall get the phrase, “the wife of rest.”  

Before she gave birth to Samson when someone called her, “the wife of Manoah” (which means the wife of rest) it seemed like Mockery. It seemed ironical that she was being called, “the wife of rest” while her state of barrenness did not allow her to experience rest.  

God does not look at you in reference to your current state (like most human beings do). Instead, He looks at you in reference to your future state. God did not look at dust for what it was. He looked at it for what it could be and did His work to use it to create man and breathed into it life. Everything that God created was good (Genesis 1:31) including dust.  

God gives life to what was once lifeless because He is life (John 14:6). God makes bright what was once dark because He is the light (1 John 1:5). God the potter does not look at clay as it is in its current state, He looks at it as the finished product because He is a visionary God who is determined and who knows that He will succeed in everything He does. So, it is important not to look at yourself as your negative relatives, friends, and enemies do. You should look at yourself as God does.  

Judges 13:2-5 (KJV) – “²And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. ³And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. ⁴Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: ⁵ For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” 

An angel of God appeared to Manoah’s wife, giving her good news that she would not be in her state of barrenness forever. The angel of the Lord did not bring his own words from his own thinking to Manoah’s wife. The angel delivered the Word that God had sent him to Manoah’s spouse. This shows us that the Word of God is a hope-giving Word.  

God may not always use angels to deliver to you His Word, He may use other means. The means that God uses the most is the Bible. In its sacred pages, we find hope. He can use people to deliver a message to you, both righteous and wicked people. Besides human beings, God uses other elements of nature to send messages to his beloved people.  

Are you feeling hopeless? Seek God’s Word to find hope. Are you feeling discouraged? Seek God’s Word to get encouraged. Are you feeling confused? Seek God’s Word to find clarity? Are you feeling sick? Seek God’s Word to find healing. Are you feeling weighed down? Seek God’s Word to get lifted up. Are you tied up in the middle of two conflicting decisions? Seek God’s Word to know what the right decision is. Money, Power and Fame are great, but God’s Word is above all these.  

Prenatal Influence and Child Guidance 

God gave pellucid and unclouded instructions to Manoah’s wife on how to treat the new born baby. He commanded her not to drink wine or strong drink. Various medical and scientific studies have shown that there are many harmful effects that arise from pregnant mothers consuming alcohol. 

Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can have serious and potentially harmful effects on both the mother and the developing fetus. The term for this condition is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), which encompasses a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities that may occur in the child due to prenatal alcohol exposure. The most severe form of FASD is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). 

Some of these potential harmful effects are: 

1. Physical Defects: FAS can lead to physical abnormalities in the child, such as facial deformities, growth deficiencies, and organ malformations. 

2. Cognitive Impairment: Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems in the child. 

3. Developmental Delays: Children exposed to alcohol in utero may experience delays in speech and language development, motor skills, and social skills. 

4. Hyperactivity and Attention Issues: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral problems are more common in children with FASD. 

5. Organ Damage: Alcohol can harm the developing organs of the fetus, particularly the brain, heart, and liver. 

6. Low Birth Weight: Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. 

Samson was going to be a judge of the Israelites with a monumental mission ahead of him of delivering the Israelites from the hand of the Philistines. So, it was paramount for such a child to have the proper training right from the womb. Many people have sunk into the alcoholism habit because their parents cherished drinking even before they gave birth to them.  

Some people use foul language and are abusive because that is the training they got from the womb till they reached their adult years. Many parents start training their children on good morals once the child is old enough to understand. They neglect their pre-birth period and their infant years. My friend Jared told me that he started talking to his children while giving them instructions right from the womb.  

“The carefulness with which the mother should guard her habits of life is taught in the Scriptures. When the Lord would raise up Samson as a deliverer for Israel, “the angel of Jehovah” appeared to the mother, with special instruction concerning her habits, and also for the treatment of her child. “Beware,” he said, “and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing.” Judges 13:13, 7.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 372.2, Ellen G. White.  

“The effect of prenatal influences is by many parents looked upon as a matter of little moment; but heaven does not so regard it. The message sent by an angel of God, and twice given in the most solemn manner, shows it to be deserving of our most careful thought.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 372.3, Ellen G. White.  

The directive to Samson’s mother to abstain from certain substances and maintain a pure and healthful lifestyle during pregnancy is portrayed not as a mere suggestion but as a command deserving of careful consideration. The broader context of this biblical passage underscores the idea that God places great importance on the holistic well-being of individuals, beginning even before birth.  

The care and reverence with which a mother conducts herself during pregnancy, as suggested in the Scriptures, extends beyond the physical realm. It encompasses the spiritual and moral dimensions, recognizing the interconnectedness of a mother’s choices and the spiritual destiny of the child she carries. 

In contemporary society, where scientific advancements continually shed light on the intricate nature of fetal development, the biblical wisdom remains remarkably relevant. The call to carefully guard one’s habits of life during pregnancy echoes through the ages, emphasizing the enduring importance of holistic health in nurturing the next generation. 

The guidance provided in the Scriptures, as echoed by Ellen G. White in “The Ministry of Healing,” imparts timeless wisdom on the sacred responsibility of prenatal influence. The angel’s instructions to Samson’s mother underscore the interconnectedness of physical, spiritual, and moral well-being, urging mothers to approach pregnancy with the utmost care and reverence. As society advances, the biblical insights on prenatal influences continue to resonate, reminding us that the choices made during pregnancy are woven into the fabric of a child’s future. 

“In the words spoken to the Hebrew mother, God speaks to all mothers in every age. “Let her beware,” the angel said; “all that I commanded her let her observe.” The well-being of the child will be affected by the habits of the mother. Her appetites and passions are to be controlled by principle. There is something for her to shun, something for her to work against, if she fulfills God’s purpose for her in giving her a child. If before the birth of her child she is self-indulgent, if she is selfish, impatient, and exacting, these traits will be reflected in the disposition of the child. Thus many children have received as a birthright almost unconquerable tendencies to evil.” –  The Ministry of Healing, Page 372.4, Ellen G. White.  

“But if the mother unswervingly adheres to right principles, if she is temperate and self-denying, if she is kind, gentle, and unselfish, she may give her child these same precious traits of character. Very explicit was the command prohibiting the use of wine by the mother. Every drop of strong drink taken by her to gratify appetite endangers the physical, mental, and moral health of her child, and is a direct sin against her Creator.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 373.1, Ellen G. White.  

The angelic guidance offers a pathway to virtuous character development if the mother steadfastly adheres to right principles. The virtues of temperance, self-denial, kindness, gentleness, and unselfishness become invaluable gifts that a mother can bestow upon her child. The emphasis on these positive attributes suggests that a mother’s intentional cultivation of virtuous qualities can shape the child’s character in a positive direction. 

“Fathers and mothers need to understand their responsibility. The world is full of snares for the feet of the young. Multitudes are attracted by a life of selfish and sensual pleasure. They cannot discern the hidden dangers or the fearful ending of the path that seems to them the way of happiness. Through the indulgence of appetite and passion, their energies are wasted, and millions are ruined for this world and for the world to come. Parents should remember that their children must encounter these temptations. Even before the birth of the child, the preparation should begin that will enable it to fight successfully the battle against evil.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 371.3, Ellen G. White.  

The opening assertion, “Fathers and mothers need to understand their responsibility,” encapsulates the crux of the message. Parenthood is not merely a biological phenomenon but a sacred duty laden with ethical and moral implications. As stewards of the next generation, parents are entrusted with the task of navigating their children through a world replete with temptations and pitfalls. 

The portrayal of the world as “full of snares for the feet of the young” paints a vivid picture of the multifarious challenges confronting today’s youth. The pervasive allure of selfish and sensual pleasures often blinds young minds to the hidden dangers and the detrimental outcomes of seemingly appealing paths. Ellen G. White highlights the urgency for parents to comprehend the nuanced landscape their children must navigate and recognize the imperceptible perils that lie in wait. 

The reference to “the indulgence of appetite and passion” speaks to the destructive forces that can divert the energies of the youth. In a society that often glorifies instant gratification and hedonistic pursuits, the consequences of succumbing to such indulgences can be profound. The use of the term “millions are ruined for this world and for the world to come” underscores the long-term, even eternal, repercussions of misguided choices. 

The temporal and eternal dimensions of the impact are crucial elements in understanding the gravity of parental responsibility. Beyond the immediate consequences in this world, the choices made by children have enduring implications for their spiritual well-being. The call for parents to start preparation “even before the birth of the child” emphasizes the need for proactive measures in instilling values, fostering resilience, and building a foundation for moral fortitude. 

“Especially does responsibility rest upon the mother. She, by whose lifeblood the child is nourished and its physical frame built up, imparts to it also mental and spiritual influences that tend to the shaping of mind and character. It was Jochebed, the Hebrew mother, who, strong in faith, was “not afraid of the king’s commandment” (Hebrews 11:23), of whom was born Moses, the deliverer of Israel. It was Hannah, the woman of prayer and self-sacrifice and heavenly inspiration, who gave birth to Samuel, the heaven-instructed child, the incorruptible judge, the founder of Israel’s sacred schools. It was Elizabeth the kinswoman and kindred spirit of Mary of Nazareth, who was the mother of the Saviour’s herald.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 372.1, Ellen G. White. 

“What the parents are, that, to a great extent, the children will be. The physical conditions of the parents, their dispositions and appetites, their mental and moral tendencies, are, to a greater or less degree, reproduced in their children.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 371.1, Ellen G. White.  

The physical conditions of parents, from genetic predispositions to health habits, form an integral part of the inheritance passed down to their children. Genetics lays the foundation for physical attributes, determining everything from hair color to susceptibility to certain health conditions. Additionally, the lifestyle choices and habits of parents, including diet and exercise, not only impact their own well-being but also set a precedent for the behavioral patterns children are likely to adopt. The adage “like father, like son” or “like mother, like daughter” underscores the observable patterns of physical resemblance and lifestyle choices that often transcend generations. 

Dispositions and appetites, intricately linked to one’s temperament and emotional tendencies, also play a pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere within a family. If parents exhibit patience, kindness, and empathy, these qualities are often mirrored in their children. Conversely, if negative traits such as impatience, irritability, or selfishness prevail in parental behavior, there is a likelihood that these characteristics may find expression in the demeanor of their offspring. The home environment, therefore, becomes a crucible where the emotional and dispositional elements of parents are transmitted and absorbed by their children. 

Mental and moral tendencies, perhaps the most nuanced aspects of parental influence, underscore the importance of intellectual and ethical role modeling. Parents who prioritize education, critical thinking, and moral values instill in their children a foundation for intellectual curiosity and ethical decision-making. On the other hand, if parents display indifference to learning or moral laxity, these tendencies may permeate the upbringing of their children, shaping their attitudes toward education and ethical choices. 

Acknowledging the power of parental influence is a call to awareness and intentional parenting—a recognition that the seeds sown by parents bear fruits that endure across generations. In understanding the intricate interplay of genetics, environment, and upbringing, society can strive to create environments that nurture positive traits and empower individuals to break free from negative cycles. This will ensure a legacy of resilience, virtue, and well-being for generations to come. 

God gave Samson’s mother special instructions on how to bring up Samson. The instructions were to be guarded from the prenatal stage to his adulthood. God commanded Manoah’s wife on what not to eat and drink. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV) – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”  

Our eating and drinking should always glorify God. Some people say that God is not narrow minded to be bothered by what people eat and drink. God wants us to be highly suitable for his service, therefore, He desires us to be in the best state of health to be effective in doing what He has commanded us to do. Some Christians say that clean and unclean meat is an Old Testament doctrine.  

When God was giving the dietary laws in Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21, He was giving them to human beings to benefit them. God can’t get sick but we can get sick. He knew the harmful effects that would rise from eating pork and other unclean meat. He did not give those commands (or any other commands) for the sake of mere restriction.  

The Lord had a reason for giving those commands because He is a God who does everything with a reason. Don’t think because you don’t fully understand a commandment from God, that God gave it just for the sake of limiting you and to make Himself appear superior. God has a reason for every small thing He tells you to do. The laws of diet were to benefit man, not necessarily to live long but to live well as long as one lives.  

When you want to know what God’s highest ideal is for every sector of your life, use the law of first mention when studying the Bible. The law of first mention is simply going to the first place where that thing has been mentioned. For example, if you want to know whether God wants marriages to be polygamous or monogamous, don’t get your conviction of subscribing into polygamy from Jacob’s example or from Solomon’s example.  

Instead, go to the Bible where the topic of marriage is first mentioned. If you do that, you will realize that God’s original plan for marriage before sin and which should be the plan for all Christians is that God created Adam and Eve. He did not create Adam with many other Eves. Likewise, He did not create Eve with many Adams. Thus, when you are studying about diet, go to where diet is first mentioned.  

God’s Diet Plan 

Having said that in the previous section, the question is, did God have a diet plan for Adam before sin? Genesis 1:29 (KJV) – “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” God created man after He had created plants and animals. However, He did not give man permission to eat the animals. Instead He gave him plants to eat. God created animals to be friends with human beings. When talking about this, Pastor Randy Skeete often asks, “Why are you eating your friends?”  

God’s original diet before sin was a vegetarian diet. Killing animals started after sin when God began the sacrificial system (Genesis 3:21; Genesis 4:4). Before the flood, killing animals to offer to God as a sacrifice was allowed but eating them was not yet allowed. Flesh eating (eating of beef, chicken, fish and all other clean meat) was allowed after the flood (Genesis 9:3).  

“The diet appointed man in the beginning did not include animal food. Not till after the Flood, when every green thing on the earth had been destroyed, did man receive permission to eat flesh.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 311.1, Ellen G. White.  

“In choosing man’s food in Eden, the Lord showed what was the best diet; in the choice made for Israel He taught the same lesson. He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and undertook their training, that they might be a people for His own possession. Through them He desired to bless and teach the world. He provided them with the food best adapted for this purpose, not flesh, but manna, “the bread of heaven.” It was only because of their discontent and their murmuring for the fleshpots of Egypt that animal food was granted them, and this only for a short time. Its use brought disease and death to thousands. Yet the restriction to a nonflesh diet was never heartily accepted. It continued to be the cause of discontent and murmuring, open or secret, and it was not made permanent.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 311.2, Ellen G. White.  

Flesh foods were probably allowed because the flood had destroyed all vegetation. Therefore, eating meat is allowed by God but it is not the most ideal and the highest dietary standard that God wants us to feed upon. This is because it was allowed by God after man sinned. God’s highest standard is the diet that was in place before sin and that is a vegetarian diet.  

Pastor Randy Skeete puts it clearly by likening a flesh diet to a D in a school exam and a vegetarian diet to an A. He says that the pass mark to passing an examination (in most schools) is a D. If you get a D, you have attained the minimum pass mark. In most universities, once you get a D (an equivalent of 40%), you are allowed to graduate, and you are not required to retake a class. As genuine Christians, we should not aim for the minimum pass mark, we should aim for the highest mark which is an A. Medical and scientific research has proved that a vegan diet has more health benefits than a flesh diet.  

“Upon their settlement in Canaan, the Israelites were permitted the use of animal food, but under careful restrictions which tended to lessen the evil results. The use of swine’s flesh was prohibited, as also of other animals and of birds and fish whose flesh was pronounced unclean. Of the meats permitted, the eating of the fat and the blood was strictly forbidden.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 311.3, Ellen G. White.  

“Only such animals could be used for food as were in good condition. No creature that was torn, that had died of itself, or from which the blood had not been carefully drained, could be used as food.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 312.1, Ellen G. White.  

“By departing from the plan divinely appointed for their diet, the Israelites suffered great loss. They desired a flesh diet, and they reaped its results. They did not reach God’s ideal of character or fulfill His purpose. The Lord “gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15. They valued the earthly above the spiritual, and the sacred pre-eminence which was His purpose for them they did not attain.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 312.2, Ellen G. White.  

Special Instructions 

Besides diet, God gave Samson’s mother other special instructions. He commanded her not to shave Samson’s hair. Samson would be incredibly strong and his hair would hold all his strength. He would lose his strength if he shaved his hair. From creation till now, Samson is the only person who has been mentioned to have strength residing in his hair. Each of us has a unique trait, no matter how closely we resemble one another, either physically or character wise. Our fingerprints, genetic codes, DNA methylation patterns, retina patterns, iris patterns, brain structure and function and microbiomes are different.  

Our personal experiences, talents and abilities are different. We can have two musicians singing the same genre of music but the styles are different. Two people can study engineering but one ends up being an engineering teacher and the other ends up opening an engineering firm. Two lawyers can own a law firm specializing in family law but the cases they are going to deal with in their law firms are going to be different, unless they choose to partner and do a case together. Even if they do so, how they are going to argue it out is going to be different.  

As Samson had a unique feature to his advantage of having his physical strength inherent in his hair, each of us has something unique that God has placed in us. If God did not tell Samson’s mother who later told it to Samson, none of them would know. Samson and everybody else would probably marvel at how strong he was but they would not know that his hair was responsible for holding his strength.  

Your unique value proposition 

Many people do not know their unique value proposition because they do not commune with God. God told Samson’s mother that Samson’s purpose was to deliver the Israelites from the hand of the Philistines. It is only God who can communicate to us our purpose in life because it is God who created us. Various people in the world do not know their life purpose because they do not spend enough time with God. Therefore, they exist like lifeless broken glasses, decorating the face of the earth but adding little to no value. God is the giver of life and everything that comes with it, including your purpose.  

God had special instructions for Samson. He instructed him not to cut his hair. In the Bible, he was the only person who was instructed not to shave his hair. If God had distinct instructions for Samson, He also has personal instructions for each of us. It is through our communion with Him that we shall be able to know what those idiosyncratic requirements that God has for us are.  

“To every man is given “his work” (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.” – Education, Page 138.1, Ellen G. White.  

Each person has been given a specific work to do by God. The work that he/she has been given is within their capabilities. God is not unjust to require you to do what is beyond your capabilities. Not all Bible writers wrote the same amount of work. Paul wrote around thirteen or fourteen books in the New Testament while Jude wrote only one book that is twenty five verses long. They were two different people with different abilities and circumstances but they all gave a hand in doing the astounding work of writing the Bible.  

God has special instructions for you. We are unable to bless others to the full extent that God desires us to bless them because we rarely seek God’s instructions in everything we do. Pastor Randy Skeete said he was unsure of what car to buy as he was finding it hard to choose between two vehicles. He said that he prayed to God and God directed him on the one to choose. God has a way that He would like each of us to dress.  

When shopping for clothes, we seek the advice of everyone else except God. He may want one person to wear this suit and the other person to wear the other suit. He may want one to live in a certain area while another one to live in another area. He may want you to pursue a certain career while another one who has studied the same exact course as you to pursue another career.  

For example, two people who have studied a course in human resource, God may want one to use his education to serve in government while the other to be a human resource teacher. God has a specific car that he wants you to drive for a specific reason. He may advise one to go for a Toyota and advise another one to purchase a Mercedes Benz. God did not necessarily tell other children not to shave their heads but He told Samson. God has special instructions for you. Seek Him to know what those instructions are.  

Samson Killing a Lion 

Judges 14:6 (AMP) – “⁵Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother [to arrange the marriage], and they came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and suddenly, a young lion came roaring toward him. ⁶The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he tore the lion apart as one tears apart a young goat, and he had nothing at all in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.” 

As Samson was going to Timnah to arrange the marriage, a lion came roaring towards him to attack him. Disruption follows intention. When you have embarked on an important assignment, especially one that is aimed at transforming your life positively, you will highly meet a hindrance. Satan uses disruptions to rob you of the rewards and awards that await you once you accomplish a certain task that God has given you.  

We need to pray ceaselessly against these interruptions. Disruptions come in various forms. Some can come in the form of temptations. Others can come in the form of opposition. In whatever manner they come, always have in mind that their purpose is to delay you or stop you. The Devil doesn’t want you to have a happy family. He doesn’t want you to inspire others positively and he doesn’t want you to make money (especially if you are a generous person). He may work through family members and friends to discourage you. He may bring extremely luring temptations your way as a trap to capture you and sink you deeply into sin.  

By the time you get out of that trap, you realize that you have wasted so much time in the enemy’s deadly cage and recovery from the effects of the transgressions you were engaging in seems quite challenging. Satan can bring sickness to disrupt you. He can bring danger to block you, the same way that Samson encountered a lion to befuddle him from going to Timnah.  

The enemy knows that most people don’t have faith and will be stopped easily by the perturbations that he throws in one’s way. Samson was embarking on a Godly mission. The Spirit of God came mightily upon him to enable him to overcome that lion that attacked him. As Christians, when pursuing a Godly mission, we must have faith and shun fear. Sometimes God may block the lion from attacking us (like He did for Daniel) and other times he may allow the lion to come and attack us (like he did for Samson and David).  

The average size and weight of a lion can vary, but generally, male lions are larger than females. Adult male lions typically weigh between 330 to 550 pounds (150 to 250 kilograms) and have a length of about 8 to 9 feet (2.4 to 2.7 meters), excluding the tail. Adult female lions are smaller, with a weight range of 260 to 400 pounds (120 to 180 kilograms) and a length of around 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 meters). 

A lion is often referred to as the “king of the jungle.” This expression likely stems from the historical association of lions with royalty and power, as well as their position at the top of the food chain in their natural habitats. Lions are often seen as symbols of strength, courage, and majesty, leading to the popularization of the term “king of the jungle.” 

Lions are feared by almost all animals and they have been recorded to kill buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, antelopes among others. They even kill human beings. Majority of the people in the world are afraid of lions. If a lion appears where there is a large group of people, almost everybody will run for their lives. Very few people will think of fighting back. The Bible says the Spirit of God came mightily upon Samson and he killed the lion. The Spirit of God came upon Samson and caused him to do the unthinkable by faith. Samson’s faith made him face his fears. Samson’s faith made him to courageously confront what everyone else fears.  

Samson was born with physical strength but the Bible does not attribute his conquest of the lion to his physical strength. Instead, it attributes it to the result that comes from having the Spirit of God in him. When you don’t have the Spirit of God in you, you lack faith and as a result, you accomplish very little or nothing. This is because doubt acts as a speed bump to slow you down or a hitch in the get-along to prevent you from getting along.  

Faith in God diminishes all roadblocks, it fixes all puzzles, repairs all potholes, cuts off all speedbumps and simplifies all maze moments, so that you can smoothly walk, run and fly to reach the high standards that God has for you.  

The Spirit of God makes you aware that you are created in God’s image. It amplifies what you are able to do while evil spirits amplify what you can’t do. Majority of the people in the world never do great things because they have not invited the Spirit of God to dwell in them. As a result, they succumb to the noise around them which is often negative and is always telling them of what they cannot do.  

God has given each of us great capabilities. Few use them to glorify God and that is why few people are truly great. Some are not aware that they possess those capabilities. As a result, they live mediocre lives with average accomplishments. Some are aware of them but use them to propel evil. Thus, what God had given them as a blessing, ends up being a curse to other people and to themselves in return.  

When Samson encountered a lion, he did not run. Genuine children of God should be fearless because God has not given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Instead, God has given us the Spirit of Love (2 Timothy 1:7). True love is fearless. God has given us a sound mind. A mind that is concealed and veiled with fear is not sound. When someone’s mind is decked up to the nines with love and bedazzled with faith, the person will stand tall and confront the uncommon and unthinkable.  

When Samson encountered a lion he did not look for a weapon to fight it. He did not call the wildlife service. The weapon he needed was in him. The most powerful tools of success are inside you, not outside. Some people have lost hope in life because they can’t find a job. Some have sunk into despair because their plans to travel abroad in search of greener pastures have been like hunting echoes in a soundproof room or chasing rainbows with a sieve.  

The lion attacking Samson did not give Samson enough time to find a weapon or call the wildlife service. We waste so much time when we delay fighting whatever is confronting us because of being dependent on outside forces. God, with His infinite mind, did not design getting employed as the only solution to fight poverty. The methods of fighting poverty are infinite since God is infinite. God did not design visiting a hospital as the only way of getting cured of one’s illness. The solutions to life’s problems are infinitely found in you.  

Too much dependence on outside forces and other people makes you lose confidence in the power that is within you. God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27) and instilled tremendous power in each one of us. The wealth you are looking for from outside is inside you. The happiness you are looking for is inside you. When we spend quality time on Bible study, we get to know more about God. Knowing more about God helps us to know more about ourselves because we were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).  

David was not the most enormous man in Israel but he killed the giant Goliath. Samson easily tore the lion apart like a kid. Matthew 17:20 (KJV) – “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”  

In the eyes of any average human being, moving a mountain is not an easy thing just like killing a lion is not a facile assignment. Faith in God makes things that seem difficult or impossible to do appear easier than nailing a high-five with a mirror or alphabetizing a single-letter word. What seemed to be rough and tough, faith in God will make its undertaking appear to be as smooth as a well-lubricated door hinge.  

Acts 2:1-4 (AMP) – “¹ When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, ²and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. ⁴And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].”  

The disciples had never spoken in tongues before but when the Holy Spirit came inside them, they were able to speak in tongues. Samson had never killed a lion before but when the Holy Spirit got in him, he was able to kill a lion. The Spirit of God makes you do and accomplish things that you had never done and accomplished before.  

Samson never told his parents about the victory he had achieved by killing the lion. We should avoid announcing our victories, even to those closest to us. To proclaim our conquests risks the insidious vanity of believing our own prowess secured them. Worse yet, such boasts may lull us into a false sense of greatness, stifling our hunger for improvement and hindering the pursuit of loftier goals. This can lead to reduced effort and make it more difficult to attain greater success than what we previously achieved.  

Sometimes, the enemy of our future success is our past success. The shadow of past success can darken the path to future triumphs. Samson’s story of killing a lion is written in the Bible and has been read by innumerable people across generations. Samson did not announce himself, but God announced him better than he could have announced himself. He, humble in his deeds, found his acclaim not in self-proclamation but in Divine recognition. Let God announce you. 

Judges 14:7-9 (AMP) – “⁷So he went down and talked with the woman; and she looked pleasing to Samson. ⁸When he returned later to take her, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion; and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the body of the lion. ⁹So he scraped the honey out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and mother, he gave them some, and they ate it; but he did not tell them he had taken the honey from the body of the lion.” 

In the very body of the lion that lunged at Samson, there lay honey. Yet, in the heat of that fierce encounter, Samson’s gaze did not fall upon sweetness, but upon a formidable foe. Often, we find ourselves similarly blinded, unable to perceive the rewards that lie just beyond the hurdles we face. Like the honey concealed within the lion’s maw, unseen blessings await us amidst our trials.  

It is when we lack the fullness of God’s spirit within us that we perceive only barriers, unable to discern the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. Instead of seeing the potential for miracles, we fixate on the apparent impossibilities, allowing fear to cloud our vision and breed doubt in our hearts. Myron Golden says that nothing in this universe is one-sided. No coin is one sided. No paper is one-sided. Everything has two sides. We focus so much on the negative side that we fail to focus on the positive side.  

But faith, ah, faith! It is faith that empowers us to transcend the limitations of our circumstances, to rise above our fears, and to act with unwavering courage. For the children of God, success is not a distant dream but a birthright, a testament to the steadfastness of their faith. Therefore, what may intimidate the world should hold no sway over those who walk in the light of God’s truth. Faith in God makes us rise above, act courageously and reap the rewards of faith. God’s children are meant to be more successful than the children of the world because they have faith in God.  

Indeed, every problem carries within it the seed of its own solution. Let us train our eyes to look beyond the present challenges, fixing our gaze instead upon the horizon of possibility. For in that space lies the promise of divine provision, the assurance that with God, all things are not only possible but achievable. 

Samson’s Riddle 

Judges 14:12-19 (AMP) – “¹²Then Samson said to them, “Let me now ask you a riddle; if you can tell me what it is within the seven days of the feast, and solve it, then I will give you thirty linen tunics (undergarments) and thirty changes of [outer] clothing. ¹³But if you are unable to tell me [the answer], then you shall give me thirty linen tunics (undergarments) and thirty changes of [outer] clothing.” And they said to him, “Ask your riddle, so that we may hear it.” ¹⁴So he said to them, “Out of the eater came something to eat, And out of the strong came something sweet.” And they could not solve the riddle in three days. ¹⁵Then on the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, “Persuade your husband to tell us [through you] the riddle, or we will burn you and your father’s household with fire. Have you invited us to make us poor? Is this not true?” ¹⁶So Samson’s wife wept before him and said, “You only hate me, you do not love me; you have asked my countrymen a riddle, and have not told [the answer] to me.” And he said to her, “Listen, I have not told my father or my mother [either], so [why] should I tell you?” ¹⁷However Samson’s wife wept before him seven days while their [wedding] feast lasted, and on the seventh day he told her because she pressed him so hard. Then she told the riddle to her countrymen. ¹⁸So the men of the city said to Samson on the seventh day before sundown, “What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?” And he said to them, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle.” ¹⁹Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of them and took their gear, and gave changes of clothes to those who had explained the riddle. And his anger burned, and he went up to his father’s house.” 

The Philistines had used deceptive means to solve that riddle. Cleverly, they approached Samson’s wife and blackmailed her into helping them get the answer to that riddle. This scenario is similar to the serpent using Eve to get to Adam. Satan often uses women to get to men and he is highly successful when he uses those women who are not strongly rooted in Christ.  

For example, many teenage boys have gotten into drugs while attempting to impress a girl. Many men have made poor financial decisions and gotten into debt because of trying to get the attention of a woman. I have heard stories in schools where people squandered their entire school fees when trying to get the love of a lady. Most men will agree that it is easy to say no to a fellow man but it is not easy to say no to a woman, especially an attractive and rich one.  

Women’s Role in Strengthening or Weakening Leadership 

Judges 16:16-17 (AMP) – “¹⁶ When she pressured him day after day with her words and pleaded with him, he was annoyed to death. ¹⁷ Then [finally] he told her everything that was in his heart and said to her, “A razor has never been used on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like any [other] man.” 

Sometimes, men will easily agree to their wife’s wrong advice even though they know it is wrong because they want to end the debate and the nagging.   

“Had Potiphar believed his wife’s charge against Joseph, the young Hebrew would have lost his life; but the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly characterized his conduct were proof of his innocence; and yet, to save the reputation of his master’s house, he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 218.1, Ellen G. White.   

Potiphar kept Joseph in prison, not because he fully believed that Joseph committed that crime but to save the reputation of his house and probably to ensure that his wife does not keep on nagging him concerning that matter. If he had failed to take action on that matter, his wife would have never given him peace.  

When a lady is Godly, she can have tremendous influence in society. She can give righteous recommendations to her husband to help improve his leadership style at home and outside the home. World-renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson had his father absent but his mother was present in his life. His mother would ask for wisdom from God on how to raise Ben Carson and his brother. She did not feel inadequate because of her singlehood. Instead, she humbly submitted herself to God and allowed the Lord to be her guide.  

A prayerful woman in a homestead is a phenomenal resource. If her Godly husband is the president, the leader of an organization, a church minister, or any other jurisdiction, that leadership will improve people’s lives immensely. 

God is not Mocked  

Galatians 6:7 (AMP) – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap.” 

The Philistines attempted to mock God by mocking a person of God. We can lie to everybody else but we cannot lie to God. God in his omniscience knows not only what we are thinking but also what we are about to think. Sometimes we tend to take advantage of the weak (the weak meaning physically, mentally, emotionally, socially etc.).  

If God was not in control, the abuse to the less strong in society would be prodigious. In school, one can be bullied because they are small in size. In various parts of the world, someone can be discriminated against and treated harshly because their ethnic background is among the minority and thus they are perceived as weak. Robbers aim at those who are physically weak. For example, they may approach those that are unarmed or those whom they have outnumbered or have defeated in physical strength. Rape and Gender Based Violence is perpetuated by the stronger party.  

Con artistes aim at those who are less knowledgeable. Some people are fond of taking advantage of a person when they are at their most vulnerable emotional state (maybe that person has lost a close family member). When someone is heartbroken, especially a lady, some men may pretend to come in handy by giving her comfort but deep inside they are harboring the worst of intentions. Some people pretend to be genuine devoted Christians to gain the trust of others. This is because they know that the evil things they are doing are so hidden and no one will ever find out (these are different from those who are struggling with sin and are trying their best to get out of it).  

God sorrowfully watches all this happening. We might not know but many times He prevents the worst from happening to us. Sometimes, He allows the bad things to happen to the feeble in society. When the perpetrators of evil see that they have succeeded in evil, they rejoice and probably sit somewhere with friends to boast on their intelligence. They are deceiving themselves because God is not mocked. The counterfeit seeds that they had sown will surely grow into counterfeit plants and they will undoubtedly reap a counterfeit harvest.  

Psalm 1:4 (KJV) – “The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” 

Chaff refers to the husks or outer casings of grains like wheat or barley. When these grains are harvested, the chaff is separated from the edible part of the grain, which is the kernel. Chaff is lighter and less valuable than the grain itself. Metaphorically, chaff is used in Psalm 1:4 to symbolize that which is worthless or without substance, contrasting with the valuable and substantial aspects represented by the grain. The ungodly are likened to chaff, suggesting that they lack substance or value and will be blown away like chaff by the wind. 

The ungodly will be easily blown away because they have not developed sufficient roots to hold the magnanimous temporary success that they have gained. One can get rich quick through deceitful and wicked ways but the riches they have gained will act like a curse instead of being a blessing. The Philistines brought a curse upon themselves when they attempted to deceive Samson. Their deception aimed to gain the thirty linen tunics and thirty changes of clothing that Samson had promised.  

When the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson, the strongest man of all times went to Ashkelon and killed thirty Philistines and took their gear and gave it to those who had solved the riddle. Therefore, their deception seemed to have brought a profit but it indeed brought a loss.  

The Blessing of the Lord Makes Rich 

Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) – “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.” 

Even though the Philistines got the awards of solving the riddle, they were sorrowful because some of their people had been murdered. Some of the people slain by Samson might have been their close relatives whom they had planned to enjoy their success with. Because God is not mocked, he had to shutter their plans but because He is also a God of mercy, He allowed them to have those garments. The pleasures of sin work that way.  

Sometimes, people may get involved in an illegal business to get money to enjoy and party with their friends. God allows them to get that money but immediately moves their friends to a faraway country or city, leaving the evildoers disappointed. Harvests gotten fraudulently are always accompanied by sorrow because the seeds sown are not authentic seeds.  

People who have joined evil cultic sects to get rich or famous, may get the money and fame that they are looking for but it comes with a price which is often very hefty. Sometimes, they may be required to sacrifice their body parts. Sometimes they may be asked to sacrifice their close family members whom they love the most. Therefore, they can’t fully enjoy the splendor that they have gotten from the Devil. Their aim of getting money was to enjoy but the means that they have used to get that money cannot allow them to enjoy that wealth. One can be in a grand fancy mansion, driving the latest cars but their minds are not at rest.  

My friend told me before he encountered Christ, he used to make a lot of money but he could not get sleep especially at midnight to 2 a.m. He said that during the day he could not get time to think because he was busy looking for money. At midnight when he was in bed is when he would get the chance to think straight and the dubious means he had used to get wealth could not allow him peace. ‘Gifts’ from the Devil always come with sorrow because Satan is the master, perpetrator and initiator of sorrow. Satan does not come unless he can steal something (John 10:10). One of the things he loves stealing is joy and peace.  

God’s blessings come with joy. In other words, God can make you rich in all facets of your life and happy at the same time. God delights to witness a scene where you are fully enjoying the blessings that He has accorded you. If you have gained riches the Godly way, you will have no guilt and no shame. Nothing will hold you back from enjoying the goodness of God. The blessing of God makes one rich in every good thing.  

Samson Kills One Thousand Men 

Judges 15:14-17 (AMP) – “¹⁴When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and the ropes on his arms were like flax (linen) that had been burned, and his bonds dropped off his hands. ¹⁵He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out his hand and took it and killed a thousand men with it. ¹⁶Then Samson said, “With the jawbone of a donkey, Heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have struck down a thousand men.” ¹⁷When he finished speaking, he threw the jawbone from his hand; and he named that place Ramath-lehi (hill of the jawbone).” 

The Philistines had bound Samson in ropes because he caused damage to their fields by tying 300 foxes and putting torches between each pair of tails. He then set the torches ablaze and let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines. Thus, the heap of sheaves, the standing grain, the vineyards and olive groves were burned (Judges 15:4-5). Samson had done that because the father of the Philistine girl he wanted to marry had given her to his companion (Judges 15:1-3).  

While controlling a riot, armed and trained policemen find it difficult to handle the rioting crowd. It will take a lot to control a group of one hundred hundred rebellious courageous men. When God’s spirit came upon Samson it made him break the ropes that were binding him. The Bible says that the ropes on his arms were like flax that had been burned. In other words, it was as smooth as navigating life’s challenges with the guidance of Scripture. It was as effortless as winning a game against yourself or blowing dandelion seeds into the wind. All who are tied with the seeming unbreakable chains of sin will have those chains easily broken free when they accept Jesus by faith and fully submit to Him. What was once a struggle will be a juggle or snuggle.  

Killing one thousand people with modern military equipment might be quite easy. This is because advanced army machinery are tailored to defeat huge masses of people within a flash of a second. If one uses a nuclear bomb, it will take only a few minutes to clear a very large population.  

The Tsar Bomba (developed by the Soviet Union) is recorded as the most powerful nuclear bomb that has ever been created and detonated. It was 3,300 times more powerful than the Hiroshima Bomb as it had 50 megatons yield. The shockwave circled the earth three times. Windows shuttered in buildings as far as 900 km away. The mushroom cloud reached a height of 60 km (37 miles) penetrating the stratosphere. Therefore, to us who are living in modern times it is not a novelty when we hear that one thousand people of the opposing armies have been killed.  

Let us use our imagination and picture Samson’s story. Samson was not living in modern times like us with the most modern military technology. In those days, soldiers used to use chariots with horses, swords, spears, arrows and shields. Samson had none of them. When a soldier goes to a battle without their fighting tools, it is obvious that they are going to lose. Samson would have lost as they had successfully tied him up, but God’s spirit can never lose.  

When the Spirit of God came mightily upon him, he spotted a fresh jawbone of a donkey and used it to kill one thousand Philistine men. When the Lord’s Spirit comes upon you, you will be able to see things that you had never seen. Opportunities in disguise that you used to bypass daily will be vividly revealed to you. What is in your environment and you previously thought was not beneficial, you will begin to see its lofty value.  

The Best Environment 

God has placed us all in the best environment. Before, I knew the value of an Aloe Vera plant, I used to see it growing in bushes and I always thought it was a useless plant. Many farmers in Kisii County, Kenya might see plants like avocadoes, pineapples, sweet potatoes and sugarcane as not useful because those plants are in abundance in their environment. Someone who has been given an export order to export those crops and is experiencing difficulty to get them because he comes from a distant land understands the true value of those crops.  

People from Machakos County, Kenya may not see mangoes, oranges and watermelons as valuable to them because they are plenty in their area. Some of them might be crying for the government to help them out of poverty but what they have in their environment is enough to get them out of poverty.  

Many people from third world countries do their best to go abroad in search for ‘greener’ pastures. They believe that where they are, there are no opportunities and first-world countries have all the opportunities. Unfortunately, some get scammed in their quest and are left feeling disappointed and hopeless.  

Genesis 1:31 (KJV) – “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” After creating the universe, God evaluated His creation and saw that everything He had created was very good. Everywhere that God created in this world is good. The notion that some places are more privileged than others is a false one. Sin tainted God’s creation but it didn’t taint it completely. However, there are still some good aspects that can be picked from God’s creation that can be utilized for our highest benefits.  

Some of the poorest countries in the world are countries with the richest resources and the most energetic workforce. A developed nation is not developed because it is placed in a better environment than the one that is developing or underdeveloped. A highly priced neighborhood is not highly priced because the land that hosts it is the most fertile land. Beverly Hills, 90210 in California is not one of the most expensive zip codes in the world because it has the most amount of gold and diamonds. What makes it expensive is the people, not really the land.  

What makes a nation highly developed is the people in it and not necessarily the physical land. This is because life is spiritual and human beings are spiritual beings. The law of reaping what one sows, applies greatly to human beings. When a national leader sows the seeds of corruption and bad governance, don’t expect those under his rule to reap a prosperous nation.  

The one thousand men killed by Samson, did not expect Samson to kill them because he was carrying no specialized ammunition.  When they saw him, they saw one man whom they can easily defeat. The battle was a fight between Samson and the majority. Pastor Randy Skeete says, “With God you are the majority.”  

When the Spirit of God came upon Samson, He revealed to him that he can use the jawbone of a donkey to fight the one thousand men. The jawbone of a donkey was not a recognized military weapon. The sling and stone that David had were not the best military tools. God uses things that are lowly regarded to make one highly regarded. God uses things that are considered useless to do a work that is ultimately useful. The jawbone of a donkey was a weapon in disguise. When God is with you, your enemy cannot predict you because God will disguise your moves.  

Remember Me 

Judges 16:28 (KJV) – “And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray Thee, and strengthen me, I pray Thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” 

Samson asked God to remember him. Against God’s will, he had unequally yoked himself with an unbelieving woman from the enemy’s side whose name was Delilah. He was probably attracted to her because of her physical beauty. Samson’s purpose was to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines. The Bible says that when a man and a woman get married, they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).  

When Samson married Delilah, they became one. In other words, Samson became one with the enemy. He might not have known but being one with the enemy (Delilah) meant that he was against his own people. This meant that he was against himself. How can one fight himself? People fight themselves by disobeying God. Satan delights to see men and women being enemies of themselves. He wants us to self-destruct.  

Swiftly, Delilah aided in deviating Samson from his purpose. Marrying an unbeliever will do great damage to your spiritual life. When you are with him or her you may feel shy to conduct your normal spiritual practices such as prayer and Bible study because you are afraid of how they might perceive you. When it’s time to go to church, they may come up with an idea of going somewhere else. If you are a lady and you are married to an unbelieving husband, they may require you to cook or work on Sabbath. A point is reached when you realize that you have dived deep into sin ever since you met with that person. Therefore, avoid such situations. However, when you have already entered such a marriage, the only thing you can do is to pray for your spouse and obey God’s Word no matter the consequences.  

Not giving up, Delilah kept on asking Samson the secret to his massive strength. For a while, Samson held on to that secret. It didn’t take long before he spilled the beans and told his wife the secret to his strength was in his hair (Judges 16:17). The fact that you have been able to evade temptation once, does not mean that you are strong against all possible temptations.  

1 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV) – “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” When you successfully overcome a temptation, thank God for giving you the strength to overcome it and pray to Him to help you overcome others in future. Satan never gives up on you. Therefore, don’t give up on the fight against evil.  

If Samson had married a fellow Israelite it would not have been a problem to tell her his secret. This is because they would have joined together in his God-given mission of delivering the Israelites from the hand of the Philistines. He contradicted himself when he married a lady from the enemy’s side in that they could not be one since Delilah could not fight against her own people. Her aim was to get Samson to fight against his own people. Some selfish wives hate it when their husbands help their relatives, especially financially. She does everything possible to create enmity between her husband and her husband’s relatives. If you have those habits, ask yourself if you would enjoy seeing your son with such a wife.  

Samson fighting against his own people can also be likened to Christians who fight against God’s will. A certain child who was about seven or eight years old missed attending church one Sabbath. I met her the following Saturday and asked her where she was the previous Saturday. She told me she had attended a family function. I told her that she needs to keep the Sabbath holy and come to church on Sabbath and avoid other activities. She told me she told her mother that but her mother told her to shut up. Her mother is a church member.  

Most of the opposition I have faced when writing Christian devotional articles and when serving God is not from unbelievers, it is from regular church members, some in leadership positions. Opposition of my blog led to me being banned from WhatsApp three times. My friend told me that when he did a deep study of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and the second coming of Jesus Christ, he thought that people would be extremely excited as he was to listen to that message. He started sharing that message with people. He told me that it didn’t take long before he started realizing that people in church had stopped talking to him and greeting him.  

Such opposition should not make us give up on God. Opposition while doing God’s work is a blessing in disguise, especially if you overcome it. Samson fought against himself because he was linked with the forces of the evil one. Christians who fight against themselves do so because they are amalgamated to some degree with evil. They may not have married unbelievers like Samson but they have something in their life that is tying them closely to vice and immorality.  

Some people have embraced evil ideologies and theories. Some have been tightly connected to unproductive and negative influencing friendships and partnerships. Some are holding on to satanic cultural practices. Some have held on to lies that look like truth. For example, the lie that is hugely promulgated is that for one to make more money, they need to spend more time on their job and less time on other important things such as God and family. As a result, they leave no time for God and their families.  

After Samson’s hair was shaved and his eyes were blinded, he realized that he was weakened. He probably realized that he had helped the enemy to weaken him. He knew that as much as his physical strength was in his hair, the source of his strength was not his hair but it was God. Therefore, he cried to God, asking the Lord to remember Him and strengthen Him. If you have fallen off the track, God is willing to put you back on track. He is willing to strengthen and input His infinite strength to those who have acknowledged their weakness.  

Stronger than before 

Judges 16:29-30 (KJV) – “²⁹ And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. ³⁰ And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.” 

The thief at the cross lived a life consumed by wickedness. His iniquity overflowed, yet when he humbly acknowledged Jesus as his savior and earnestly sought salvation, Jesus extended His grace and saved him. Instantly, upon surrendering his heart to Christ, the Savior forgave his sins and granted him the promise of eternal life (Luke 23:43). Consequently, his future is destined to shine brighter than his past. Remember, it’s never too late to turn to Christ and transform your life.  

If you find yourself weighed down by remorse or imprisoned by past mistakes, know that you’re not alone. Jesus stands by, offering liberation and absolution to all who seek it. Today can mark the commencement of a fresh chapter—a tale of hope, redemption, and a future teeming with boundless possibilities. 

Samson acknowledged his weakness and asked God to strengthen him. He remembered how he was once a strong man and the conquests that the Spirit of God had delivered to him. When he prayed that prayer, God boosted his strength in that he defeated/killed more people at his death than the ones he defeated in his life. The restoration that Christ wants to give us will make us better and greater than we were before. Ellen G. White writes that the new Eden will be more beautiful than the previous one (the one that was there before man sinned).  

The lost son’s father had probably never made a party for his son when he was with him at home. However, when he came back home, the father received him joyfully and made a banquet for him (Luke 15:17-24). When we confess and repent our sins and with an honest heart approach God’s throne, God blesses us more than he had blessed us before.  

Samson ended his story stronger than before. At that time, he was shaven and blind. He did not have his hair which stored his strength and he did not have his eyes which enabled him to see. The victory he had gained when he had his eyes and hair was less than that which he gained when he had lost them.  

Many of us have all body parts functioning and God has bestowed upon us great abilities but we do not reach the pinnacle of greatness that God has ordained for us. This is because we do not acknowledge our dependence on God. Nick Vujicic has no hands and feet but through God he has been able to accomplish more than many of us with fully functioning body parts. Ellen G. White had very limited education but she has accomplished what many professors have not.  

If we acknowledge our weakness and go back to God, seeking Him for strength, God is going to make us stronger than before.  

GOD BLESS YOU! 

Prayer 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

As we reflect on the faith of Samson and the lessons woven throughout his life, we come before You with hearts open to receive Your wisdom and guidance. Teach us, Lord, to embrace the unique calling You have placed upon our lives, just as You did with Samson. May we learn from his triumphs and his failures, recognizing the importance of obedience to Your will and the power of Your blessing. 

Grant us, O Lord, the strength to overcome the lions in our path, the wisdom to solve the riddles of life, and the courage to face our adversaries with unwavering faith. May we never forget that You are not to be mocked, and that Your blessings are the source of true wealth and abundance. 

Help us, Father, to create environments that nurture our spiritual growth and development, surrounding ourselves with those who uplift and encourage us in our journey of faith. And in times of trial, may we echo Samson’s plea, “Remember me,” knowing that You are always near, ready to hear our prayers and answer according to Your will. 

Finally, Lord, empower us to emerge from every challenge stronger than before, filled with Your Holy Spirit and equipped to fulfill the purpose for which You have created us. May our lives be a testament to Your faithfulness and grace, shining brightly for all to see. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. 

Activity 

• Reflect on the story of Samson and identify one area of your life where you feel called to exercise greater faith and obedience to God’s will. Write down specific actions you can take to align yourself more closely with His plan for you, considering the lessons learned from Samson’s life. 

• Next, take time to evaluate the environments you frequent—the people you surround yourself with, the media you consume, and the activities you engage in. Are these environments conducive to your spiritual growth, or do they hinder your relationship with God? Make intentional choices to cultivate a nurturing environment that supports your faith journey. 

• Lastly, commit to regular prayer and meditation on God’s Word, seeking His guidance and strength in all that you do. Remember Samson’s final prayer to God, and echo his plea in your own life, trusting that God will remember and respond to you.  

Author: Mark Alex   

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