1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: And Delillah said to Sampson, tell me I pray THEE 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:08,720 Speaker 1: wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be 3 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:16,000 Speaker 1: bound to afflict thee Judges sixteen six. Dear God, as 4 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: the story of Sampson rings in my ears, it helps 5 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: me to learn the valuable lessons that lie within the 6 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 1: words of Judges sixteen. Through Samson, I too realize that 7 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:30,840 Speaker 1: the strength of my abilities and the power of my 8 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:35,239 Speaker 1: moving on my behalf only come from my obedience to 9 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: You and your word. I come against any thinking or 10 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:43,519 Speaker 1: behavior that would have me rely on my own understanding, 11 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 1: causing me to believe that I can accomplish great things 12 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: apart from You, Lord. I choose to walk in the 13 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: truth that I am simply because You are. As I 14 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: continue on my journey to fulfillment purpose, I will become 15 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 1: self correcting and aware of the moments I step off 16 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: the path. Through your help, Holy Spirit, I declare that 17 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 1: I live and stay in alignment. I will not sacrifice 18 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: my anointing for the simple comforts and pleasures that can 19 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:26,639 Speaker 1: lead to my downfall. I am locked in and ready 20 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: to finish the race of purpose before me in Jesus name, Amen, 21 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for 22 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 1: an incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in 23 00:01:42,800 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: a Year dot com. Samson's downfall. In our last story, 24 00:01:56,120 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: we saw Samson's strength and pettiness on display. He developed 25 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: a rivalry with the Philistines over his wife, and out 26 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: of anger and revenge, he burned their crops and slaughtered 27 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: one thousand of their men with the jawbone of a donkey. 28 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 1: God used Samson's strength and foolishness as a weapon against 29 00:02:16,760 --> 00:02:21,240 Speaker 1: the enemies of Israel. Now we see Sampson's descent into 30 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 1: his own sin. His foolishness abounds, and he finds himself 31 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,959 Speaker 1: captive to a witch in the armies of the Philistines, 32 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 1: as inspired by the Book of Judges. Hello, I'm pastor 33 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:38,160 Speaker 1: Jack Grahab with today's episode of the Bible in a 34 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,119 Speaker 1: Year podcast. In our last episode, we saw how Samson 35 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 1: used his strength both to exact his own revenge and 36 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 1: as a tool in God's hand to push back the 37 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: oppressive Philistes. His anger and quick temper left a trail 38 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 1: of destruction and death across the region. But God used 39 00:02:55,960 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 1: even Samson's failures to weaken Israel's enemy. All least, Sampson 40 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 1: was filled with God's spirit and righteously defended his fellow Israelites, 41 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: leading to him being judge over the people for twenty years. 42 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:15,320 Speaker 1: But tragically, Sampson's lust, disobedience, and foolishness resurface, and rather 43 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 1: simply compromising with danger, he plunges headlong into sin. Entangled 44 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 1: with an evil woman, his strength will be no match 45 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: for her hold on his mind. It is a tragic 46 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 1: tale of unchecked sin, but still God will use Samson 47 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: to ultimately win a victory over the Philistines. So listen 48 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: to today's reading. It was dark and the city of 49 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: Gaza had fallen asleep. The only lights came from the 50 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 1: dim candles illuminating the small room where Samson and the 51 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 1: prostitute lay. Their shadows moved against the walls as they 52 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: moved to one another's bodies. Throughout the night, Samson drowned 53 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: out his sorrows and insecurities and the sheet of the 54 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 1: prostitute woman. The Gazites had caught word that Samson was 55 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 1: staying in the city. They surrounded the prostitute's home and 56 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: set up an ambush at the gate of the city, 57 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: and Casey escaped. They kept quiet, planning their attack for 58 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 1: when dawn broke, they slept, not knowing that Samson escaped 59 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 1: out the window at midnight. Stealthily, Samson moved through the 60 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:28,719 Speaker 1: alleys of the city towards the front entrance. Samson stood 61 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 1: in front of the gate. The gate was looming over Samson, 62 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:36,440 Speaker 1: four times his size and made of pure steel, The 63 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:41,039 Speaker 1: gate stood as a barrier between him and freedom. Samson 64 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 1: gripped the steel beams at the gate and began pulling. 65 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 1: Samson's arms were hard as stone, and his legs were 66 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 1: planted firmly in the ground for support. Slowly, the steel 67 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:55,679 Speaker 1: began to rip off its hinges, and the gate lifted 68 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:59,599 Speaker 1: from its foundation. Samson rose the gate above his head 69 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 1: and began and to walk out of the city. With 70 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:05,679 Speaker 1: the strength of an elephant and the stealth of a cat, 71 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 1: Samson stole Gaza's main form of protection and escaped into 72 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: the mountains. Meanwhile, the Philistines were planning their attack against Samson. 73 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,960 Speaker 1: The lords of the Philistines plotted and schemed as to 74 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:23,480 Speaker 1: how they would topple the mighty Man of God. Clearly, 75 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: no army large or small could come up against him, 76 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: and they knew no other way to bring him to 77 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: his knees. They did, however, know of one weakness. Samson 78 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:37,640 Speaker 1: had a weakness for beautiful women. They sent for a 79 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: woman named Delilah and paid her one thousand, one hundred 80 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: pieces of silver to seduce him. She came to Samson 81 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 1: with smooth lips and a sharp tongue. She stroked his 82 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 1: hair and kissed his neck. Samson, in an instant, fell 83 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 1: deeply in love with Delilah. Her seductive voice and clever 84 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: words lured Samson into a daze of passion and vulnerability. 85 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:07,239 Speaker 1: She whispered in Samson's ear, where does your strength truly lie? 86 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:12,159 Speaker 1: She leaned against him. Samson could smell her hair. She 87 00:06:12,360 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: was intoxicating to him. How would anyone be able to 88 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:20,640 Speaker 1: capture you? Samson was enraptured by her, but still in 89 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 1: his right mind to toy with her. Samson answered her 90 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: and said, the secret is seven fresh bow strings that 91 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 1: have not been dried. Once they bind me, I become 92 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:37,240 Speaker 1: weak like any other man. Sir. Delilah playfully bound Samson up, 93 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 1: while the Philistines lay in secret waiting to ambush him. 94 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 1: Then Delilah tested the strings and yelled quick Samson, the 95 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:49,599 Speaker 1: Philistines are coming, and in an instant, Samson broke through 96 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: the strings, ready for battle. So the secrets of Samson's 97 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: strength were still a mystery. Delilah was upset with Samson, 98 00:06:58,120 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 1: but Samson continued to toy with the three times she 99 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 1: bound him and three times he escaped, for he thought 100 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: they were playing as lovers do. But Delilah only loved 101 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 1: one thing, silver, and she would not receive it unless 102 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 1: Samson was captured. Delilah wept in front of him, saying, 103 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 1: how could you tell me you love me when your 104 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: heart does not trust me? She cried, yelled, and pressed 105 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 1: up against him and begged. Day after day, she wore 106 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: him down, and Samson became vexed beyond all reason. All 107 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: of Samson's inhibitions melted like candle wax against Delilah's flame. 108 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: So he told her the source of his strength. I 109 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: am a Nazarite by birth. A razor has never shaved 110 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: my head, and if it did, my strength would leave me. 111 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: Delilah was satisfied. In the secrecy of night, she had 112 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 1: Samson rest on her lap. She stroked his hair. As 113 00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: Samson fell into a deep sleep, Delilah smiled as she 114 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: looked at Samson, although she did not smile out of 115 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,440 Speaker 1: affection or love for him. No, she smiled because the 116 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: Philistines were waiting just beyond the walls of her bedroom. 117 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: With her silver she nodded towards the door, and a 118 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 1: man approached Samson with a blade in his hand. Together, 119 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 1: they shaved off seven locks of hair from his head. 120 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: She tormented him, whispering lies and curses into his ears. 121 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: Then with a loud shriek, she yelled, Samson, the Philistines 122 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:34,439 Speaker 1: are here. The Philistines sprung on to Samson and tackled 123 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 1: him off the bed on to the floor. Sampson struggled, 124 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,439 Speaker 1: waiting for a burst of strength to send them in 125 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 1: flying through the wall. But he had no strength. You see, 126 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 1: Samson's strength was not in his hair, but in the 127 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:51,679 Speaker 1: favor of God. Samson had spent most of his adult 128 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 1: life straying from God, and he had now broken his 129 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 1: last vow. The Philistines bound him and pulled his head back. 130 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:04,839 Speaker 1: The Philistine lords looked down at Samson with cackles. Samson 131 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 1: looked behind them as Delilah counted her silver. Tears streamed 132 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 1: down his face as he pulled and kicked in futility. 133 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 1: Samson looked at one of the men standing above him. 134 00:09:16,840 --> 00:09:19,920 Speaker 1: He turned to the fireplace and pulled out an iron rod. 135 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: Its tip was orange from the flames. He slowly approached 136 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 1: Samson and drove the tip of the rod into his eyes. 137 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: Samson wailed in pain, and his screams woke up the 138 00:09:32,600 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 1: entire city. The men drug him out of the house 139 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 1: and shackled him to the wall of the Philistine Temple. 140 00:09:39,120 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: Samson knelt in total darkness. Weakness was new to him, 141 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:46,600 Speaker 1: and he yelled in pain through the night. The lords 142 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:49,560 Speaker 1: of the Philistines gathered together at the temple to make 143 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:55,319 Speaker 1: sacrifices to their guards Dagon. Together, three thousand Philistines gathered 144 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 1: to celebrate the capture of Samson. They drank, danced, and 145 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: reveled in victory. The fire raged in the center of 146 00:10:03,320 --> 00:10:06,080 Speaker 1: the large hall, and Samson could hear the snickering of 147 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: Philistines passing by him. The Philistines called for Samson to 148 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 1: be chained in the middle of the great hall to 149 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: entertain the guests. Their hearts were merry and drunk, and 150 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: they laughed at Samson and threw things at him as 151 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 1: he was being brought to the center of the temple. 152 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,160 Speaker 1: They chained him between two pillars that held up the 153 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:30,479 Speaker 1: temple roof, and all three thousand men and women mocked him. 154 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 1: The music grew louder, and they worshiped Dagon into the 155 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: middle of the night. Samson was lost in his thoughts. 156 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 1: He was supposed to be the deliverer of Israel, and 157 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:45,080 Speaker 1: here he stood, blind and bound. It was not the 158 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 1: Philistines that trapped him there, but his own pride and 159 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: lack of obedience to God. Samson raised his head to Heaven. 160 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 1: Unable to see, he took a deep breath. Oh Lord, 161 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:03,320 Speaker 1: he shouted, remember and strengthened me, just this once. And 162 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,199 Speaker 1: then Samson began to pull on his chains that were 163 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: attached to the two pillars. The Philistines noticed and laughed. 164 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 1: Samson continued, and small cracks began to form around the 165 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 1: foundation of the pillars. Samson screamed as he tore at 166 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 1: the pillars. The philistines smiles began to fade, and Samson 167 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 1: whispered to himself, let me die with the Philistines. And 168 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: in that moment he bowed with all his strength and 169 00:11:31,280 --> 00:11:35,719 Speaker 1: pulled the pillars apart. The entire temple floor fell from 170 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 1: the sky, and the walls toppled on top of all 171 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:43,760 Speaker 1: three thousand Philistines below. Flames erupted from the center of 172 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: the temple as stones crushed the backs of God's enemies. 173 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 1: A cloud of smoke covered the wreckage. Dawn had broke, 174 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:56,439 Speaker 1: and the sunrise peaked above the hills. In the middle 175 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:00,040 Speaker 1: of the wreckage. Among the bodies of the Philistines a 176 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: Samson's dead body. In that moment, Samson accomplished more in 177 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:09,439 Speaker 1: death than he ever could during his life. The strongest 178 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: hero Israel had ever known, experienced more victory and sacrifice 179 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: than he did selfishness. The story of courageous self sacrifice 180 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: would be perfected later on in another hero God sent. 181 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: His sacrifice would tupple the greatest enemy of them all. 182 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:35,079 Speaker 1: Our reading begins with Samson giving in to the cravings 183 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 1: of his flesh. This Nazarite man, born with such promise 184 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 1: and set apart for God, was anything but wholly and separated. 185 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:46,199 Speaker 1: As he wandered into Gaza, Sampson made arrangements with a 186 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:49,680 Speaker 1: prostitute and took her to bed to satisfy his lust. 187 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: His sin was not hidden either, because word got out 188 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: about the Hebrew strong man and hero in the Philistine city. 189 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:00,240 Speaker 1: It was the chance they'd been waiting for or to 190 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:02,959 Speaker 1: defeat the one men that stood between them in total 191 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: dominance over Israel. But Samson's snuck out under the cover 192 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:10,560 Speaker 1: of night, taking with him the whole city gate, which 193 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 1: he ripped from the ground. The Philistines attempt to defeat 194 00:13:13,960 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 1: Samson had been thwarted again, but it wouldn't take long 195 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: before an even better opportunity arose for the Philistines. Samson 196 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 1: became enamored with another Philistine woman named Delilah, and she 197 00:13:28,120 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 1: was troubled with a capital t Delilah captivated Samson, and 198 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:35,480 Speaker 1: the leaders of the Philistines saw their chance to pounce. 199 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: They summoned Delilah and paid her to seduce Sampson and 200 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 1: get him to give up the secret to his strength. 201 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,880 Speaker 1: They knew that without his might, Sampson was just another man, 202 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:50,160 Speaker 1: easily defeated. Delilah happily obliged her eyes on the prize 203 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: of silver a payoff, so she asked him how he 204 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:57,400 Speaker 1: could be defeated, How could he be subdued? What is 205 00:13:57,440 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 1: the source of his strength? Now Sampson was not completely stupid. 206 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,199 Speaker 1: He wouldn't give up his secret easily, but he can 207 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: still have some fun. And we see how clever Samson 208 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,960 Speaker 1: can be. And he no doubt knows that pridefully thinking 209 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 1: nobody can get the better of him. No wonder, the 210 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:18,679 Speaker 1: Bible tells us that pride comes before a fall. Three 211 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 1: times he gives her a wrong answer, and each time 212 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:25,440 Speaker 1: she tries and fails to subdue him. Finally, she tells him, 213 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:29,600 Speaker 1: if he loves her, he will tell her his secret. Tragically, 214 00:14:29,720 --> 00:14:33,560 Speaker 1: Sampson reveals that his head must never be shaved. That 215 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 1: very night, his head was shaved, and with the breaking 216 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: of the Nazarite vows, God's favor departed along with his strength, 217 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: and for the first time ever he was powerless, but 218 00:14:42,560 --> 00:14:45,280 Speaker 1: not because of his hair, but because of his broken 219 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 1: relationship with God. The Philistines bound Sampson, mocked him and 220 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: gows out his eyes, blind and bounds. Sampson was imprisoned 221 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 1: and made to turn at a millstone. Over and over. 222 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 1: Here we see the blinding and the grinding power of sin. 223 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:07,680 Speaker 1: He could hear his captors worshiping their god Dagon. Not 224 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 1: only were they mocking Sampson, but mocking the god who 225 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: gave him his strength. Samson's physical blindness and bondage were 226 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 1: a direct consequence of his spiritual blindness and bondage to 227 00:15:19,520 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 1: sin that had put him in this terrible place. And 228 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 1: as he turned the mill, Samson must have talked to 229 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 1: God and seek forgiveness for his sin. His hair began 230 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: to grow back. It became again an outward sign of 231 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: an inner renewal of his faith in God. So when 232 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:40,160 Speaker 1: Samson is paraded into the sinner of the Temple to 233 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: be mocked, he asked to lean on the columns, and 234 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: then he cries out to God in Judges sixteen twenty eight, 235 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 1: Oh Lord, God, please remember me and please strengthen me. 236 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 1: Only this once, o God, that I may be avenged 237 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: on the Philistines for my two eyes. He prays for 238 00:15:56,560 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 1: one more opportunity to glorify God. God fills Samson once 239 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 1: more with superhuman strength, and he pulled down the pillars, 240 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: destroying the Pagan temple and killing three thousand Philistines. Sampson 241 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 1: sacrificed his own life to defeat the enemy. It is 242 00:16:13,120 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 1: a powerful story of renewed faith and repentance. And no 243 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 1: matter how far we may have fallen, God will pick 244 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 1: us up. If we trust in Him and once again 245 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:27,440 Speaker 1: find our strength to go forward. Dear Lord, we thank 246 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: you for your forgiveness. We know, like Samson, we have 247 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: failed you many times, but we also know that when 248 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:37,360 Speaker 1: we trust in you and revive our hearts in you 249 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:42,160 Speaker 1: through repentance and faith, we can be restored. God, restore 250 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: our hearts in you, and may we repent of every 251 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 1: sin that we may stand strongly for you in Jesus name. Amen. 252 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 253 00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: I am Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the 254 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,800 Speaker 1: Prey dot com app that prayer a priority in your life. 255 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:05,200 Speaker 1: If you enjoy this podcast, share it with someone you love. 256 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in 257 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:11,400 Speaker 1: someone's life. If you want to know more about the Lord, 258 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 1: how to know him, how to serve him and be 259 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 1: his disciple, then let me encourage you to visit my 260 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:22,160 Speaker 1: website which is Jack Graham dot org. We would love 261 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 1: to assist you in any way possible as you grow 262 00:17:25,119 --> 00:17:29,400 Speaker 1: in your journey of faith. Again, that's Jack Graham dot org. 263 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:38,560 Speaker 1: God bless you. This episode is sponsored by Medicine, an 264 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 1: innovative healthcare solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.