A Repentant Heart

Judges 16:23-31(NLT)

23 The Philistine rulers held a great festival, offering sacrifices and praising their god, Dagon. They said, "Our god has given us victory over our enemy Samson!"

24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying "Our god has delivered our enemy to us! The one who killed so many of us is now in our power!"

25 Half drunk by now, the people demanded, "Bring out Samson so he can amuse us!" So he was brought from the prison to amuse them, and they had him stand between the pillars supporting the roof.

26 Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand. "Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them."

27 Now the temple was completely filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them.

28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, "Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.

29 Then Samson put his hands on the two central pillars that held the temple. Pushing against them with both hands.

30 he prayed, "Let me die with the Philistines." And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire life time.

31 Later his brothers and other relatives went down to get his body. They took him back home and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol, where his father, Manoah, was buried. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years.

Things to note:

•Evidence of His mercy and unfailing love:

Verse 25- Points out a beautiful picture, before we turn around to God after we have done wrong, He has already planned and orchestrated our deliverance. Look at Samson in prison and the mysterious way he was brought out. The seemingly negative is used as a key to unlock a door. This shows evidence that in my mistake Father already has a plan.

•Humble heart posture:

Verse 26- Points another picture, a young servant leading him by hand, this is a humble spirit, a teachable mind, no arrogance, no pride, just humility, a willingness to be led to places of difficulty, an attitude to serve, a servants posture. This is how to walk with God and be led by God.

•Prayer of repentance:

Verse 28- He asked God to remember him, he knew he was far from God and had broken his covenant. He reached out to God for help. In our weakness God is our strength, let go and call Him.

•His vision and strength:

The loss of his eyes and strength represents, loss of vision, loss of purpose, wrong perspective, corrupted ideas, wrong cultural systems, selfish ambition, self-reliance and self-will. Sometimes we loose certain things to gain more.

Like how Apostle Paul was blind for three days and in that posture he could see the Lord properly. Like how through the death of Jesus on the cross many more people became sons and daughters till this day.

A sees dies in the soil and births new life. You gain deeper insights when you surrender to God. In that posture He makes you see clearly, He has infinite wisdom and is your loving Father. He doesn't come to condemn, he comes to lighten your burden and strengthen you for the race ahead.

•The two central pillars:

Represent ideas and strongholds in our lives that limit you and constantly cause you to fall. He prayed for strength to break it down. There can be behaviours, mindsets, negative utterances and ways of thinking, generational cycles that limit you.

He asked God to help him break that foundation down. A process of mind renewal and freedom from bondage. You die to the past and start new.

This is how surrender looks like it can be painful and may require more from you, but it's worth it.

Prayer:

Dear Father, we come to you with a repentant heart, we ask to be broken and made new, we ask for forgiveness of our sins. We receive your Son Jesus us our Lord and Saviour. We rededicate our lives to your way and your will. In Jesus Name we pray Amen.

Glory be to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will to men. ❣️