Just Once More – Part 3 of 4

“…When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, ‘Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.’ Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the LORD, ‘Sovereign LORD, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more…’ “ (Judges 16:25-28, NIV).

Samson prayed a “just once more” prayer. Have you? For some of us, “just once more” is our focused attempt to simply do the next right thing. We take timid steps to move us away from addictions, our fears, our failures, our past mistakes. “Just once more” becomes our mantra, our crying out to God in our weakness.

For some of us, “just once more” provides the first glimmer of hope in the darkness of depression. The thoughts in our minds hold us captive. The Enemy seeks to rob us of our joy, our peace, our very lives. “Just once more, God”. “Just once more.”

If you knew me better, you would know about my “just once more” prayers. You would know of my battles with anxiety and depression. You would know of my weakness. I’ve experienced the helplessness that comes when my strength is gone. I know what it feels like to think the Enemy has won. I have seen my world come crashing down around me. I know what it means to pray “just once more”.

Maybe you’ve been there too, in those moments of truth when you feel like you can’t take another step. You are blinded by fear and sin, pushing against the pillars of doubt and disbelief. You, too, may know what it means to pray “just once more”.

But this is what I also know. When you think that God has abandoned you, he stands with you. And when you cry out to him, he hears you. In your brokenness, he sustains you. And with every prayer and petition comes a promise.