In Chapter 16 verse 21 of Judges, we find Samson, the last judge of Israel in a grinder’s prison house because he kept entertaining Delilah— a woman who’d been hired, for 1100 pieces of gold by his Philistines enemies to find out the secret of his phenomenal strength. (Judges 16:5 NKJV) And every time she would ask him he would continually trick her, break out from whatever device she concocted to bind him until one day he’d finally got enough of her taunting and divulged the true source of his strength. (Judges 16:6-21 NKJV)

Delilah was a conspirator who was more concerned with money than morals. Sampson was more concerned with nonsense than his Nazarite separation which he kept defiling because of fleshly desires.

In other words, Sampson wanted what he wanted and not what he needed. He could’ve been just as content with a nice Jewish girl but he’d already set not only his eyes but also his heart on a Philistine woman—the enemy, without thinking of the consequences. He must not have known or perhaps he forgot Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (I Timothy 6:6 NKJV)

Samson should’ve learned from his first lesson…

One’s thoughts would be Samson should’ve learned from his first lesson when married to the woman from Timnah who betrayed him by giving his answer to a riddle he posed at their wedding feast. (Judges 14:12-19) But lust and prideful ambition blind us to the truth.

Has entertaining temptation placed you in a prison house? Are you still there? I am sure while Samson was in that grinder’s prison he had enough time to contemplate the mistake he made, prayed, and repented. We don’t know how long he was there but we do know that he was there long enough for his hair to grow back—you know, the place where his anointing resided? Perhaps Samson kept going in circles with that grinding wheel until he finally came to the end of himself. Then and only then was he able to ask God to strengthen him one more time.

God is a God of second chances, but that second chance is one that should not be taken for granted. Have you been given a second chance in life? Do not squander this second chance by placing it in the lap of the enemy! The cunningness of that enemy could come in any form from a beautiful enemy posing as a friend to a blinding attack out of nowhere. And if you keep flirting with these temptations eventually, just like Samson you will wind up in a prison house blinded because of wrong motives going in circles with your anointing gone.

If you are in this place— find you’ve been there long enough and you’ve finally come to the end of yourself. A place of humble submission. (I Peter 5:6-7 NKJV) Then perhaps like Samson, you can ask God to strengthen you one more time to finish the course He has assigned for your life. For He is a God full of grace and truth. (John 1:17 NKJV)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (I Peter 5:6-7 NKJV)

May the Blessings of the LORD be with you today and always. Thank you for your continued readership and support. Until next Sunday…Blessings and Peace!

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