Judges 16:28-30 tells us of the end of Samson in the Old Testament.

Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.


During certain times in the Old Testament, God would raise up leaders to defend his people, Israel, from their enemies. These leaders were know as judges. Samson was one such judge or leader. We read his story in the book of Judges, chapters 13-16. These chapters tell us of the victories which Samson had in protecting Israel over their enemies, the Phiistines.

At last came the day when, through deception, Samson revealed the secret of his strength and was delivered over to the power of his enemies. The last verses in chapter 16 tell us how Samson was blinded and taken to the idolatrous temple of the Philistines so they could make fun of him and celebrate their victory over him as leader of the Israelites.

But God still had a plan for Samson. Samson prayed to God and God gave him his strength again. Samson had himself positioned between the two pillars supporting the temple and pressed against them until the whole temple fell destroying him and his enemies.

Then scripture tells us that in this event, Samson destroyed more of his enemies at the last of his life than in his entire lifetime.

Older Believers, your mightiest victories in the Christian life may still be ahead of you.

I remember my Dad telling me that sometimes God will prepare a person for most of his or her life to use that person in a much mightier way towards the end of their life, perhaps for a few short years.

Moses is a good example of this. God spent two thirds of Moses’ life in Egypt and the back side of the desert to prepare him for the monumental work God had for him to do in delivering the Israelites from bondage. It took that amount of time for Moses to learn to depend on God and not his own human abilities.

Dear, Christian brother, don’t think that just because you may be up in years and nearing the twilight of life that God is finished with you! He still has a task for you to perform and it may be only now that He has His greatest work to accomplish through your life. Keep plodding along, obeying Him, and seeking to advance His kindgom here on the earth.

It may be in imparting the wisdom you have gained to a younger generation.

It may be spreading the gospel to those you come in contact with or training others to witness.

It may be in counseling and encouraging other believers and helping them avoid the pitfalls you found in life.

Whatever it is, get busy and stay busy! YOU STILL HAVE WORK TO DO!

 

Christ Fellowship Baptist Church