By Olubunmi Adebayo
*We shall conclude our discussion on Samson’s choices, chances and consequences today.*
*Please pay attention to the implication of another chance God gave Samson – the regrowth of the Hair. Note that this came after the enemy had shaved his head, after they had removed his eyes, and after they made him grind in their prison.*
*The Bible adds one powerful sentence to the sequence of events – “Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.”(Judges 16:22)*
*Meaning that mercy spoke out again for Samson. Despite his having been captured as a prisoner, despite his having been rendered blind, and becoming a slave to the enemy – God said “I will give you one more chance.”*
*Please note this : as long as there is breath in a man, God can give that fellow another chance. You may have lost everything like Samson did – your eyes, your freedom, your reputation – but if the hair of Samson can grow again, then your destiny can restart all over.*
*C) THE CONSEQUENCES OF MAN’S ACTIONS.*
*Every choice has a price to it. Every action has a consequence that will follow it. Samson paid dearly for his reckless behavior.*
*Imagine the following : he lost his power – “He wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” The most dangerous place to be is when God has left you and you still think you have his backing.*
*The Bible says – Samson shook himself as at other times, but nothing happened – Judges 16:20.*
*He lost his vision by having his eyes removed. The eyes that caused him to lust after women were the first thing the enemy removed.*
*Your strength is tied to your sight. If you don’t control what you see, you will lose your capacity to see what you see.*
*He lost his freedom, and he became a mockery : from a deliverer of Israel to a grinder in the prison of Dagon – the national champion became a mockery in the hand of the enemy. They called him to entertain them – when you refuse to discipline yourself, your enemies will mock the grace of God that you have been enjoying.*
*But there is a final consequence of his unguided actions – he died with his enemies – I pray you will not die with your enemies.*
*In death, he killed more Philistines than in his life time. His final prayer was “Lord, remember me this final time”, and God answered him – he died fulfilling his request, but he died not living to enjoy it. He fulfilled destiny by dying, not by living.*
*FINAL TAKE AWAY:*
*To everyone of us, the grace we enjoy from God resulting in our successes and achievements should not be a cover for sin or an indulgence for sinfulness.*
*Please know that attractions to wordly materials will subside one day. Beauty will fade, strength will fail, money will finish. Only character will stand to sustain you.*
*Don’t be a Samson – great in strength, but weak in self control. (Strong man, but weak person at the same time).*
*For Married People, watch those Delilahs around you. Any relationship that wants to cut off your covenant with God is a Delilah. Any man or woman that wants you to compromise your stand in God is a Delilah.*
*For Everyone : if you are already in Samson’s prison – blind, grinding, mocked – your hair can grow again! God can restore you. 1 John 1:9 says “if we confess, He is faithful to forgive us”.*
*Today, I want us to pray like Samson prayed at the end: “Lord, remember me.”*
*Maybe you have made wrong choices like Samson. Maybe you chose lust over reason, you chose anger over patience, you chose money over God. God is giving you another chance today.*
*Don’t read this saying “I will shake myself as at other times!” What may follow can be quite profound against you.*
*May the Lord guide you against choices that will destroy your life and your destiny. May the Lord grant you grace to recognize your Delilah and run from such, and if your head has been shaved like Samson’s head was – painful and regrettable, may God grant you the grace of His mercy for regrowth and restoration.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
