–C.J. Petit  (Marsh’s Valley)

       “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”

                         –Job 38:2 (NASB)
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               “How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of … Samson….  By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them.”
                           –Hebrews 11:32-33 (NLT)

Let’s take some time this morning to look again at Samson.  First, we must look at the times in which he lived and the circumstances of his birth.  We already know that Israel had become complacent and was satisfied to be subservient to the Philistines, especially the tribe of Dan.  They were beginning to lose their identity.
       Samson’ mother was barren, at that time considered a curse, and of old age, then one day “the angel of the Lord” appeared to her.  Whenever “the angel” is mentioned most theologians believe it was the preincarnate Christ; it is different from “an angel”.  So God comes down from heaven to meet especially with the wife of Manoah and give her the news that she will give birth to a son.  It is interesting that we do not know the name of this woman, she is just Manoah’s wife.  Think back to Abraham and Sarah.   Sarah was of old age when the three men appeared before Abraham, one had to have been the preincarnate Christ.  He told them what was to take place, that Sarah in her old age was to have a child.
       Manoah asked the “angel” to give them instructions on how to raise the child.  He did not give an answer; it was not needed for instructions had already been given.  There is a good lesson for us.  Often when we pray we seem to not have prayers answered, but it is because God has already answered us through His Word.  The only additional instructions was that Samson was to be a Nazarite from his birth.  In fact, his mother was instructed that she should follow the same instructions while she was pregnant.  This was strongly emphasized, “let her observe all that I commanded.” (Judges 13:14, NASB)
       Samson was to be a Nazarite from birth.  Most, when taking the vow, do so for only a period of time; it was for a set period of time determined by the person who made the vow–but Samson was to be different.  Numbers, chapter 6 tells us the basis of the Nazarite vow.  Gary Inrig gives us a simplified view:
               1.  It was voluntary–an act of personal commitment, motivated by love and faith.
               2.  It was purposeful–it was for separation.  The purpose of the vow was for a man to cut himself off from other things so that he could devote himself in a special act of consecration to the Lord.
               3.  The Nazarite vow was symbolic.  a) They were to abstain from the fruit of the vine and strong drink.  These things were signs of luxurious living, with the vow they were to live a simple life.  b) They were  not to cut their hair.  This was a public sign of the vow.  c) He was to avoid contact with a corpse.  This was the sign of the preeminence of God in his life.  Contact with death made a person unfit for the tabernacle; by avoiding the dead a person maintained his eligibility for public worship and constant fellowship with God.
       When you read Numbers 6, one term stands out–“separation.”  The vow indicated separation!  So much could be said about that in regard to our life before the Lord, but space and time do not permit today.
       I want to touch on one other point.  Manoah asked the “angel” what His name was. (Judge 13:17)  “But the angel of the LORD said to him, ‘Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?'” (vs 19)  This term “wonderful” means “incomprehensible.”  It brings to mind Isaiah 9:6, “…And His name will be called Wonderful…” (NASB)  Also Revelation 19:12, “…He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.” (NASB)
       Such is the background of this man Samson.  A man to be a deliverer and a judge.  A man called to be separate and called out from among the people.  A man who would act on behalf of the Lord.  Samson a man of unusual birth, and he will be a man of an unusual life.

                         –Louis L’Amour  (Hondo)

       “O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.  The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.”

                         –Psalm 16:5-6 (NKJV)
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The second part of Psalm 85 speaks directly to what we need today.  Remember, this is a Psalm of revival–the return of the heart of the individual to the Lord and the return of the nations to God’s holy principles.
       Starting with verse 8, we see what will happen if there is a revival:  God will speak peace.  It makes me wonder how many times God has spoken peace to my life or to our nation.  Peace is “more than a cessation of conflict or trouble.  It represents fulfillment, wellness and contentment, the absence of lack.” (George O. Wood)  Ah, sweet relief, but watch out!  There is a warning:  “let them not turn back to their folly,” or “their foolish ways.”  This is recalling what happened to them when the Lord sent them into bondage under Babylon.  They were living independent of God which is sin.

            8 — I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
            9 — Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.
          10 — Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.
          11 — Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
          12 — Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase.
          13 — Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway  (NKJV)

       If there is a true revival the people will rejoice in the Lord, they will revere His name, no longer would it be sullied.  Mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace will work together in harmony.  George Wood puts it this way, “True love never exists without faithfulness, and true peace never comes without inward integrity.  You cannot say you love someone who you have abandoned, and your peace is plastic if you violated God’s will to get it.”  Not only will it bring health to the soul of the individual, the land itself will produce a great harvest.  
       There must be a call for righteousness if there be true revival.  “Wherever God’s presence is manifested in the restoration of His people, righteousness will be clearly seen in the lives of God’s people.” (Max Anders)  When Nehemiah went back to build the walls, Ezra found the Word of God buried.  True revival ignites the buried Word, take time to read of the revival in Ezra.
       One more thought.  Look at the beginning of verse 8, “I will hear…” (NKJV)  “I listen carefully…” (NLT)  “I will listen…” (NIV)  It is time for each of us to “listen/hear.”  Jesus said he who has an ear to listen.  Listening is a very important communication skill.  Of all the communication skills, listening should be the predominant, and yet have you ever taken a course in listening?  We are to “listen” and by doing so it becomes ingrained in our hearts and will lead to fruition in our lives.  Listening and doing go together.

                    “O praise ye the Lord!
                    Praise Him upon the earth,
                    In tuneful accord, ye sons of new birth;
                    Praise Him who hath brought you
                    His grace from above;
                    Praise Him who hath taught you
                    To sing of His love.”
                          –Henry W. Baker

                         –D.C. Adkisson  (Winter of the Wolves)

 

       “Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
                         –Titus 1:9 (NKJV)
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                         “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching
                 ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
                                             –2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)

“Doctrine divides!”  I’ve heard it many times, especially recently.  That is contrary to the truth–the truth is that true doctrine unites!   What Christian can deny the Apostles’ Creed?

               I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
               I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell.  The third day he rose again from the dead.  He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.  From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
               I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen.

Now, don’t get yourself in an uproar.  The term “catholic” means the true Christian church of all times and all places.  It has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope, or the Vatican.  So rest easy.  But we see that we are unified in Christ–the doctrine is true and sound.
       People say they don’t need doctrine or theology, and Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote that the day will come when men “will not endure sound doctrine.”  They continue on to say they want a “relationship” not a religion or a theology.  However, if a person really wants a right and deep relationship with God they must have a theology.  Theology is simply the “study of God.”  Why wouldn’t we want to study the Person with whom we want a relationship?
       “It is good theology, not feelings, that will sustain us in life and comfort us as we wrestle with death.” (Alistair Begg)  We must adhere to “sound doctrine” never letting it fade from our hearts and minds.  D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, “If your doctrine is wrong, your life will be wrong.”  He continued to say, “My sense of obedience to God compels me to discover as far as I can what He means by them [doctrine].”  It is vital in these last days that we guard the truth–the doctrine.
       People want to interpret the Bible for their own desires; interpret it to mean what they want it to mean rather than taking it at face value as the words of God.  By refusing false doctrine, the pseudo-believer makes themselves a god.  Interpreting the Scripture the way they want it makes their words and thoughts equal to God’s.  They go the way of their own desires.  They seek out teachers who no longer teach the authoritative, infallible, inspirational Word of God.  Truth (doctrine) then becomes relative–relative to their whims.  
       Remember the words from Paul to Timothy regarding the Word:  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine…”  Get that?  The first thing we do with the Word is adhere to the doctrine.  Then Paul adds, “for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NKJV)  Stay firm in the faith, do not be like the children of Israel who “did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25, NKJV)  Soon they were clamoring for a king, not the God of their fathers.  God granted their wish and nothing but trouble followed.  Those who seek to do what is right in their own eyes, seeking those who will itch their ears are calling for a king.  God will grant their wishes, for upon the scene of mankind a ruthless king will arise–the Antichrist.
       In these days–last days or not–hold to the doctrine.  Do not be swayed by feelings or false teachers (read 1 John), but continue to stand upon the foundation that has been laid out.  “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”  (1 Timothy 4:16, NKJV)

                         –Elmer Kelton  (The Man Who Rode Midnight)

       “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

                         –Revelation 7:17(NKJV)
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How do you take life?  You can’t hide your head in the sand like an ostrich, nor can you run to the caves in the mountains for life will follow you.  Oh, some take that last great escape and take their own life, but in reality do they?  Life, and death, is in the hands of God, but it is up to us to deal with the living of it.  
       They are many philosophies concerning life.  That tells you that man has and is interested in living it.  Idealism, existentialism, pessimism, optimism, fatalism, postmodernism, and all the other isms you can think of along with the many different religions of the world.  One thing I do know, disagree if you will, but one must have a proper view of eternity to face life properly.
       Jesus understood life, and death.  He came to this world to live as a man, to experience what you and I experience:  the ugliness, the poverty, the cheating, the arrogance, the loneliness. . . you go ahead and add to the list.  I am reminded of a song by Gladness Jennings–The Street Where the Lonely Walk.  Here is a verse and chorus.

               “The street where the party is, where lights blaze–and glare,
               The gay and the debonair throng this thoroughfare;
               Amid all the gaudiness and much seeming bliss
               Loneliness stalks its prey, and death finds a way.

                         Oh!  Holy Spirit–This is my pray’r
                         Make me a blessing–to somebody there
                         The street where the glory is is pretty to see;
                         But the street where the lonely walk is calling to me!”

Yes, life comes at us in various ways.  As Christians we should daily count our blessings, and then seek in some way to help someone else along the way.  What has life shown you?  Of course, as a believer there is that steadfast hope, but if you went to a gallery of art and upon the walls of that great gallery were pictures of life what would you see?  Hank Williams, in his short, troubled life wrote about one such gallery, and it might behoove us to glance at it now and then.

               “In the world’s mighty gallery of pictures,
               Hang the scenes that are painted from life,
               There’s pictures of love and of passion,
               And there’s pictures of peace and of strife,
               There hang pictures of youth and of beauty,
               Of old age, and the blushing young bride,
               They all hang on the wall,
               But the saddest of all,
               Are the pictures from life’s other side.”

       Count your blessings for God has lifted you up out of the mire of sin.  He has given you a new life, the old things–the old life and way have past away, all things have become new.  But even with that we are faced with life.  Warren Wiersbe writes, “Life does not stand still.  Life comes at us full speed, without warning, and we must stand up and take it and, with God’s help, make the most of it.”
       Solomon said that he “saw all the living who walk under the sun.”  He saw the good and the bad, the light and the dark.  He saw that all of this was “vanity and grasping for the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16)  Pessimism from a man who had riches in abundance, yet found himself grasping for the meaning of life.  It would do us well to heed the words of Jesus and solemnly think of their significance.  “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37, NKJV)