Title: Pray About Your Struggles
Memorize: Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” Judges 16:28 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Judges 16:23-30 (Nkjv)
[23] Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice. And they said: “Our god has delivered into our hands Samson our enemy!”
[24] When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy, The destroyer of our land, And the one who multiplied our dead.”
[25] So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them. And they stationed him between the pillars.
[26] Then Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars which support the temple, so that I can lean on them.”
[27] Now the temple was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there—about three thousand men and women on the roof watching while Samson performed.
[28] Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
[29] And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left.
[30] Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.
Message:
Samson was a judge in Israel. He was known for the extraordinary strength given to him by God, which allowed him to achieve incredible feats, like killing a lion with his bare hands and defeating many Philistines who were Israel’s enemies. Samson’s life, however, was marked by poor choices, especially regarding his relationships. He fell in love with women outside God’s will for him, and one of them, Delilah, became instrumental in his premature death.
The only time the Bible tells us that Samson ever prayed was when he was about to die, as we see in today’s memory verse. God answered his prayer and restored his strength. Then, Samson pushed down the pillars of the temple he had been tied to and died with his enemies.
This is a very saddening story because if Samson had asked God to help him deal with his lust early, God would have also answered his prayer. My dear child, it is dangerous to go through life without praying. If you are struggling with anything, please pray to God about it now.
Key Point:
God is always ready to listen, forgive, or empower you when you pray to Him.
Hymn 55: Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose
1 Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose;
Hear Thy Guardian Angel Say,
“Thou Art In The Midst Of Foes:
Watch And Pray!”
2 Principalities And Powers,
Mustering Their Unseen Array,
Wait For Thy Unguarded Hours:
“Watch And Pray.”
3 Gird Thy Heavenly Armour On;
Wear It Every Night And Day
Ambush’d Lies The Evil One:
“Watch And Pray.”
4 Hear The Victors Who O’ercame;
Still They Mark Each Warrior’s Way;
All With One Sweet Voice Exclaim,
“Watch And Pray!”
5 Hear, Above AlI, Hear Thy Lord,
Him Thou Lovest To Obey;
Hide Within Thy Heart His Word:
“Watch And Pra!.”
6 Watch, As If On That Alone
Hung The Issue Of The Day;
Pray, That Help May Be Sent Down:
Watch And Pray.
Bible In One Year: 2 Kings 20:1-22:2 Acts 21:18-36
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye