Just Once More – Part 4 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).

Listen to these words of Scripture…

From the book of Joshua, “… I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5, NIV).

From the Psalms, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, NIV).

Listen to Paul’s words…

“I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV). And I would add: not doubt, not fear, not our past mistakes, and definitely not our weaknesses. No, “…nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39, NIV).

Because of these and so many other promises… because of God’s grace personified in Jesus, I now have confidence. My weakness cannot control me. It cannot break me. Because “…(God’s) power is made perfect in (my) weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:6, NIV).

With outstretched arms, Samson pushed over the pillars of the temple.
With outstretched arms upon a cross, Jesus removed our sins “as far as the east is from the west…” (Psalm 103:12).

With a mighty crash, Samson destroyed the temple walls.
With power and might and glory, Jesus tore the temple curtain in two.

By his sacrifice, Samson defeated his enemies, the Philistines.
By his sacrifice, Jesus defeated for us sin and death and the Devil.

Samson prayed, “just once more”.
Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30, NIV).