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[Hebrews 11:32-34 KJV] “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: [33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens”.
Central Truth
When you ignore the red flags because you hope for the best in people, you might end up getting hurt very badly.
Discussion
The Bible tells the story of many people, but one man whose narrative touch my heart so much is Samson. I believe he is one of the most misunderstood characters of the Bible.
Many Bible scholars have discussed him as a moral failure, but the Bible never said so. If anything at all the judge Samson is a clear example of what happens when leaders love too much. Samson was not a moral failure, though he loved sophisticated women and played with strange women from Philistine, there is no single mention that Samson fornicated with any of them.
The problem with Samson has been the problem of HighCity, we love too much, that sometimes when it is obvious that people are turning out to be dangerous, we still keep them around hoping for the best.
I have walked with my husband, Rev. Simpe, and have seen how many of the things we do which hurt him so badly, yet he still keeps us around, hoping that things will get better. I have seen how things did not change, neither did the people, and he got so hurt, yet he stood strong and fought for the kingdom.
Samson had a problem with love; which is not bad, but the people around him took advantage of his good heart and manipulated him. Delilah took advantage of Samson’s good heart, manipulated and betrayed him to his enemies. I have been manipulated sometimes. I have seen my husband manipulated too. Maybe he has also manipulated other people; that I can’t tell, but I have seen this man hurt so badly by people he loves.
I pray that as he returns from his missions trip, you will all support me to love him. We need our bishop, we need our friend, we love him and we know we love him. There is no reason to hurt him any more.
Anyway, back to Samson. Samson was hurt and abused because he ignored all the red flags. He kept people around him, hoping they will change, yet they did not. I came to announce to you that if you ignore all the red flags because you are hoping for the best in people, you might soon get hurt so badly.
But the same God, who caused the strength of Samson to return, will restore our church, Amen!
Our ministry shall rise again! Our hair shall grow again! Our ministry shall thrive again! We shall soar on the wings of eagles!
Be reminded that although many portray Samson as a case of moral failure, the Bible never said such a thing. Samson is rather a case of misplaced judgment and discretion. He ignored the many red flags because he hoped to see the best in the people and women he dealt with. So, sometimes even when he should have dropped people, fired them, broken connection with them; he loved them and hoped to see the best in them. There was nothing wrong with Samson except that he kept holding on to people when he should have let them go. He loved and loved deeply.
May be you have also been hurt so bad and your confidence so broken, but you shall rise again, you hair shall grow again, Amen!
Did Samson do anything for his hair to grow and for his strength to return? He did nothing special;
- He admitted he has lost his strength
- He Submitted himself under the mighty hand of God
- He trusted that as his hair – which stands for his fellowship with God – grows, his strength shall return
- He yielded to the little boy who lead him to the pillar
- He prayed to God for mercy
You will not remain weak, small, wounded, broken, and captured forever. As you keep believing, fellowshipping, praying, I don’t know how, but one day you will fly again! You will soar again! You will win again!
Be blessed, I love you;
Pastor Sandra Simpe Bediako
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