The Lord's departure

Judges  16:18 And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.  16:19 And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.  16:20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him. 

From birth, Samson was marked for greatness. He was a Nazirite, dedicated to God, and blessed with supernatural strength to deliver Israel from the Philistines. His life was a testament to God's power and purpose. Yet, despite his extraordinary gifts, Samson's story is marred by repeated disobedience and a gradual drift away from his divine calling.

Samson's downfall didn't happen overnight. It was a slow erosion of his commitment to God's commandments. He compromised his vows, engaged in reckless behavior, and formed relationships that led him astray. Each step away from God's will brought him closer to the moment described in Judges 16:20.

This gradual drift serves as a warning to us all. Our spiritual decline often begins with small compromises, a little neglect of prayer here, a slight disregard for God's Word there. Over time, these seemingly minor lapses accumulate, leading us further away from the presence and guidance of God.

When Samson awoke to face the Philistines, he assumed his strength would be there as always. He had grown accustomed to the Lord's presence and power, believing it would never depart from him. But this time was different. The Scripture tells us, "But he did not know that the Lord had left him."

What a tragic realization! Samson's strength was not his own; it was a gift from God. In his arrogance, he failed to recognize that his disobedience had severed his connection to the source of his power. This moment of awakening was too late to avoid the consequences of his actions.

The presence of the Lord in our lives is a precious gift, a privilege that we must cherish and nurture. It is not something to be taken for granted or presumed upon. Like Samson, we may assume that God's favor and blessings will always be with us, regardless of how we live. But Scripture reminds us that persistent disobedience and neglect of our relationship with God can lead to His departure.

So, what can we learn from Samson's story? First, we must remain vigilant in our walk with God. Daily prayer, regular study of His Word, and a commitment to living out our faith are essential to maintaining our connection to Him. We must guard against the slow drift of compromise and sin that can distance us from His presence.

Second, we need to seek renewal and repentance. If we recognize areas of our lives where we have strayed, let us return to the Lord with humble hearts. God is merciful and gracious, ready to restore and renew us when we turn back to Him.

In conclusion, Samson's tragic realization serves as a powerful reminder that we must never take the Lord's presence for granted. Let us cherish our relationship with God, nurture it with care, and remain vigilant against the subtle temptations that can lead us astray. May we seek His face continually, that we may never find ourselves in the place where we say, "But he did not know that the Lord had left him." Amen.

God bless you. 

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name. 

2. Lord, help me to be vigilant both spiritually and physically in Jesus Christ name. 

3. Lord, let it not be too late for me to realise my mistakes in Jesus Christ name. 

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.