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We are now at the end of this series and, I would love to bring these stories to your attention…
The story of Samson and Delilah
Samson was a man born with the mission of delivering Israel out of the hands of Philistines. One man was meant to deliver his people out of the hands of an entire nation. Before he was even conceived, the Lord sent an angel to inform his mother of the greatness and abnormal strength the Lord had in store for him. He was a man intended to live prosperously in the Lord, but the influence of evil associates made him let go of his only protection. Samson’s seeking of worldly pleasures led to his demise.
He fell in love with a Philistine woman named Delilah.
His attachment to this vile individual cost him his life. Delilah was employed by the enemies of Samson to discover his weakness.
15Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength.”
16With such nagging, she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.
17So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite-dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man,” Judges 16 v 15-17.
When Samson finally gave in, she stripped him of his strength and called his enemies upon him. They dug out his eyes and brought him among the Philistine aristocrats and officials in celebration and praise of their false god Dagon for delivering their enemy into their grasp. Whilst performing for these Philistines, Samson asked to be rested against the supporting pillars of the building.
In his last moments, this man of God who had strayed pleaded to the Lord to restore his strength so he may receive revenge upon the Philistines. Samson laid his bare hands upon the pillars of the building, pushing them apart. The building collapsed upon him and the Philistines highest officials, killing approximately 3000 men and women, more Philistines than he had in his entire life. He had fulfilled his mission but in death and sorrow.
The story of the Hebrew Boys
The three Hebrew boys were youthful children of God, like ourselves, not seeming to be born with a great purpose for our existence, but were used by and saved by God through their faithfulness.
Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest king of Babylon, made a statue of gold. The statue was sixty cubits high and six cubits wide. The king’s herald declared to the people that at the time in which they heard the vast array of instruments and songs being played, those who do not fall and worship the statue were to be thrown into a fiery furnace. Therefore at that, the masses worshipped the idol. The Chaldeans accused the Jews, specifically three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who did not bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar or his false gods.
Nebuchadnezzar flew into a flaming rage, summoning the young men with the intent to punish them violently. Upon being summoned in the face of adversity and impending death, due to their faith in God, these young men did not falter and answered upon interrogation.
16Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve can deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up,” Daniel 3:16-18.
Full of rage due to what he believed was insolence, Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the furnace be made seven times hotter than usual. The heat of the furnace was so hot it killed the very men who placed them in the furnace.
After placing them in the furnace, to the astonishment of the king, there were four men within the furnace completely fine. He also noticed the fourth had the likeness of a man of God. He was confused and asked his aid, “Was it not three young men which I commanded you to throw into the furnace?” Seeing this act of God, the three boys were immediately called out of the furnace.
At that point, Nebuchadnezzar made an announcement.
28Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, be cut into pieces and their houses turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way,” Daniel 3v28-29.
Nebuchadnezzar then promoted them in the kingdom of Babylon.
Conclusion
The conclusive lesson of this blog series is that the way to interact with the world as a Christian youth is through exalting Christ, our saviour.
The Lord’s mission is one that requires you to stand out among those of the world. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven," Matthew 5:16 ESV.
The story of Samson and Delilah is a story which shows the demise of a man of God who did not adhere to the way of Christ. Samson found himself marrying a woman who was not of God's people due to his desire. This was an action which represented his living amongst those who were not of God and his acceptance of their ways. His mission was fulfilled, but, it was fulfilled in anguish and death.
The three Hebrew boys, on the other hand, were very distinct in their actions which represented God. They had lived in a territory controlled by a king who served a different God. It is much like our own world in which the devil rules. Like the three Hebrew boys, as Christian youth, when called to bow, we should not lower our heads to the wants of the world.
Instead, we should risk it all for Jesus and he will deliver us out of any perilous situation. Like the Hebrew boys, you will be raised and protected in the ultimate armour, which is God. You will be raised to a higher position through the Lord.
As young Christians, the Lord’s standards must be upheld for we are chosen by him and not by man. For reference on the standard of Christian behaviour, read Galatians 5.
Keep on reading to learn more to help you be more like a jewel on God´s crown
¨ The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.¨ Zechariah 9:16 NIV
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AuthorMy name is Serena Richards and I, along with other helpful contributors, and of course the inspiration of God have written these posts as a source of help FOR YOU <3 Archives
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