SAMSON (Judges 13-16)
It is sad to be remembered for what one might have been. Samson had tremendous potential. Not many people have started life with credentials like his. Born as result of God’s plan in the lives of Manoah and his wife, Samson was to do a great work for God- to “begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistine.” To help him accomplish God’s plan, he was given great anointing and enormous physical strength. However, Samson also had an eye for women among other moral weaknesses that cut him short in his calling and purpose. He could have returned his people to the worship of God. He could have wiped out the Philistines; but Samson gave himself sexual immorality and gradually gave his calling. He gave away his consecration little by little until Delilah got the new razor blade to cut down the locks of his anointing. The consequences of his sexual sins and others can be summarized below:
Loss of dedication to God
Deceived by a woman
Deceived by a woman
Had eyes burned out
Imprisoned, hair shaven
Left by the Lord
Mocked and ridiculed
Never fulfilled potential
Lost his anointing
Died with his enemies
Though terrible and pathetic was the story of Samson, he repented and renewed his covenant with God. He fasted again. He sat in that prison house. He saw no woman any more. His eyes were now for heaven. He did not want to live anymore. He now decided to die doing exploits for his God. “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” That was Samson at prayer! God, who does not desire the death of the sinner, hearkened unto a repentant soul and changed Samson’s course. He forgave him and used him again!
Samson’s story teaches us that it is never too late to start over. However badly we may have failed in the past, today is not too late for us to put our complete trust in God.
Samson’s story is told in judges 13-16. He is also mentioned among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:32.
DAVID- King In Israel (2Samuel 11).
David- one of the greatest men in the Old Testament is being remembered as a shepherd, poet, giant-killer, king and ancestor of Jesus. In short, he was the greatest and the most remembered king in Israel. But along this list, he was also being remembered for a major failure in his life- his sexual sin with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, a sin which set into motion a chain of devastating consequences which affected his life, family, leadership and generation in a most destructive ways. In the escapade with Bathsheba, David allowed himself to fall deeper and deeper into sin.
Highlight of his fall:
David abandoned his purpose by staying home from battle. It is like drifting away from those disciplines we still demand of our followers (Vs 1)
He focused on his own desires (vs 2)
When temptation came, he looked into it instead of turning away from it (vs 3)
He sinned deliberately (vs 4)
He tried to cover up his sin by deceiving others (vs 6-15)
He committed murder to continue the cover-up (vs 15-17)
His sin was exposed (12: 9)
His sin was punished (12: 10-14)
The consequences of his sin affected many others (12:11, 14, 15).
Consequences of His Sins (II Samuel 12)
Murder was a constant threat in his family (II Sam 13: 26-30; 18:14, 15; I King 2: 23-25)
His household rebelled against him (15:13).
His wives were given to another in public view (16: 20-23).
The child-product of the sexual sin died (12:18)
The consequences of David’s sins were irreversible. When God forgives us and restore our relationship with Him, He doesn’t eliminate all the consequences of our wrongdoing. If David had known the painful consequences of his sins, he might not have pursued the pleasures of the moment. Remember that the consequences of your actions reach farther and deeper than you can ever foresee.
David however, confessed and repented of his sins (12:13). Though he sinned many times, he didn’t sin repeatedly, neither did he take God’s forgiveness for granted. His confessions were from the heart, and his repentance was genuine. During this incident, David wrote psalm 51, giving valuable insight into his character and offering hope for us as well. No matter how miserable guilt makes you feel or how terribly you have sinned, you can pour out your heart to God and seek his forgiveness as David did. There is forgiveness for us when we sin. David also wrote Psalm 32 to express the joy he felt after he was forgiven.
From all these Bible records and contemporary examples, sexual sins, wherever and whenever committed, normally carry strong consequences and serious backslash on a person life and destiny. Men and servants of God must beware! It can happen to you!!
“Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
