Promise Keeper

"Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Judges 16:28

This morning, Spencer was listening to the story of Samson on his Kids Bible App while getting ready for school. I started recalling the story of Samson and Delilah as I listened in. Delilah nagged Samson until he told her the secret of his strength saying, “No razor has ever been used on my head, 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.” I get this mental image of Fabio, a long haired and muscular dude. For any younger readers, you can see him below. 

"I can't believe it's not butter."

Okay. Enough of that. Back to the story. So, Delilah basically stroked Samson's hair until he fell asleep in her lap. She then called for men to take a razor to his head and shave him bald. He awoke weak and unable to free himself from their chains. 

He didn't carry actual strength in his lovely locks. He carried a promise given to him by God in his symbolic mane. It boiled down to a test of obedience and faith. He failed. But guess what? The story doesn't end there. It merely begins. 

If you remember, God kept his promises to Samson, even though Samson didn't keep his promises to God. Samson cried out to for God to strengthen him once more so he could shake, and ultimately destroy, the Philistine walls, and God listened.  Isn't it amazing that God's promises are not dependent upon us? We can make a mistake, but He can still make things happen. Walking in obedience and doing as he asks of us ensure His promises be fulfilled.

If we never see our promises come to pass, I can guarantee you that it's not God with the problem. It's our human condition. We are experts at messing things up, but Jesus serves as the cleanup crew. He will do what He says He is going to do no matter what we do or don't do. He keeps his word when all of those around us don't.  He keeps His word when we don't keep ours. We either trust Him to make good on the promises He has sewn in our hearts or we don't. I believe it is that simple. 

Can you relate to Samson?  Has there been a promise Jesus entrusted you with but you didn't keep your end of the deal so things haven't gone as planned? Is there something you cut off that God asked you to keep. Or maybe something he has asked you to cut off, but you have kept?  Maybe you tried to reach the destination on your own without consulting Him for wisdom and guidance. If so, it's okay. Just as Samson did, ask Him to help you start again and breath life back into the promises He has given you. He is able. He is the ultimate Promise Keeper. 


Father, I thank you for being who you are to us. Thank you for keeping your promises to us. Thank you for being holy yet available. Sew your promises in our hearts and help us to being obedient and wise in our decisions so that we don't postpone any good thing you have in store for us. We love you and honor you. In Jesus' name. Amen.