‘…Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again…please strengthen me just one more time…” – Judges 16:28 (NLT)
Samson, a Judge of Israel, was chosen by God before birth to deliver his people from the Philistines (Judges 13:5). He was set apart as a Nazirite. He possessed great strength which came from God, symbolised by his uncut hair. Samson performed many mighty and heroic acts like killing a lion (Judges 14:6), defeating one thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15:15), and carrying the doors of the town gates (Judges 16:3). He was mighty, but just like us, he had human frailties.
Samson fell in love with Delilah, which led to his undoing. Delilah sought out the source of Samson’s strength, who misled her a few times, but he eventually disclosed his secret. Samson was so in love that he didn’t realise the pattern and persistence of the hunt for a particular answer. So are we many times. We too get caught up in our passion, which sometimes affects our alertness and judgement.
Samson’s hair was subsequently cut – going against God’s decree (Judges 13:5). His strength was gone, and he was captured and blinded by the Philistines. What a position for the mighty man to find himself! But even in the lowest of lows, Samson prayed: “Sovereign Lord, remember me…” Like Samson, we too may find ourselves in some low situations, many of which were caused by our disobedience or negligence, but God is merciful. We, too, can pray like Samson: Remember me again, oh God. Please strengthen me just one more time.
God answered Samson’s prayer!
In his final act, Samson pulled down the Philistine temple, killing his Philistine enemies (rulers and all the people – Judges 16:30). He died with his enemies, but in his death, he killed more people than he had done in his entire lifetime. Whenever you are at your wit’s end, at your lowest, weak and blind, you can pray like Samson: ‘Oh God, please work on my behalf just one more time.’ God will hear. He’s still the prayer-answering God. He did it for Samson and can surely do it for you.
Prayer
Sovereign Lord, thank You for Your Word. Please work on my behalf just one more time. Extend Your mercy toward me and let me experience Your salvation in the land of the living in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 91:2; Judges 16:27
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 110; Ephesians 2; Isaiah 55; Isaiah 56; Isaiah 57:1-13