Judges Chapter 16: verse 20 (NLT)
Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!”
When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him.
Judges Chapter 16: Verse 28 (NLT)
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.”Samson had become complacent. God had given him a particular gift and calling and he took them for granted. He was asked to live in a particular way and he didn’t take it seriously. He basically pleased himself how he behaved. When the main time of testing came, he was so self-confident that he didn’t even realise God’s presence had left him. He endured severe suffering and trial because of the choices he had made but when he finally cried out to God once more, God answered his prayer.
Sometimes we can take our spiritual life for granted, especially if things are going well in other aspects of our life, and we go off and do our own thing, perhaps not even noticing that we don’t have God’s blessing to go in the direction we are going, or to ignore that check in our spirit.
But when we realise that we have lost direction and ask for God’s help to make things right, He never holds a grudge and He graciously helps us.
Dear Lord,
Help me guard my life against complacency and selfishness. Keep me close and reliant on You. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.