If you've beeen in the church long enough, you've most likely heard the story of Samson. If you haven't, or forgot some of the story, let me recap. In Judges 13, we find out Samson's birth was a miracle because of his mother's inability to have children. God ordered Samson to be put under the sanctification of the Nazarite vow. The vow required him to keep his hair long and stay away from wine. Skip ahead a few chapters and enters the infamous Delilah. We don't know much about Delilah, but we do know she had Samson in a trance. After a few failed attempts at finding the secret to Samson's strength and a few bruised Philistines, Samson finally reveals the secret- cut off his hair. Fast forward a few more verses and we see a blinded and weak Samson.
There is a verse in chapter 16 of Judges that you've probably skipped over, but this verse is so powerful. "But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved." Judges 16:22 This verse brings me so much hope. Even in my shortcomings God hasn't given up on me. I am so glad that Samson's heart didn't completely harden. It is so easy to become callous after the bottom falls out. Samson's power, hair, and eyes are gone. To me these conditions would be reason enough to give up on God. I'm sure Samson had these thoughts running through his head and was struggling with shame for what he had done. Even in the worst situation of his life God was still working. "But the hair of his head began to grow back..." No matter how far you've gone, or how bad you've messed up, there is a God who is ready to pick you up. I serve a "but God." Samson believed again that God was his only true source of strength. It's believed that Samson killed more Philistines in the last moment of his life than he did at any other moment. There is no way that could've happened BUT GOD! You might say you can't do what God has called you to do BUT GOD! Money may be tight BUT GOD! You may feel lost and alone BUT GOD! If you feel like life is too hard and there is no hope rest in the fact that at any moment God is going to butt in.
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