WHEN GOD EXITS (1)
JULY 21, 2026
TEXT: Judges 16:4–31
KEY VERSE: “And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” (Judges 16:20)
There’s no one who reads the story of this man called Samson who will not exhibit some elements of sobriety and solemnity. This was a man who was specially ordained, even before his conception in his mother’s womb, to be a mighty warrior through whom the Israelites would be rescued from the oppressive hands of the Philistines. Unfortunately, Samson grew up to become over-familiar with the ways, moves, and dimensions of God to the extent that he felt he could do and undo without any severe consequence.
This man exercised power like a drunkard. In Chapter 14 of the Book of Judges, the Bible records many strange things this man did. He tore a lion into pieces. He killed thirty men at Ashkelon just to reward the companions at his wedding who answered his riddle correctly. He caught three hundred foxes, tied firebrands to their tails, and released them into the vineyards of the Philistines, where the fire burnt their crops. Later, other verses reveal that he killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15). Such was the mighty strength of this man. Unfortunately, he had access to too much power but was neither broken nor spiritual enough to control the dynamics of the power he possessed. He slept around like a dog. The early part of Chapter 16 reveals that he went in unto a harlot in Gaza, where he was almost caught again by the Philistines. Later, verse 5 reveals that he became involved with another woman named Delilah in the Valley of Sorek, where he eventually met his Waterloo. It was Delilah who eventually facilitated his spiritual downfall. He was completely emptied and rendered impotent. All along, he had been losing touch with heaven, but he never knew because the power still remained in him. Many preachers today are unaware that God has long departed from their ministries, but because they still manage to heal the sick, prophesy, operate in the words of knowledge and wisdom, discern spirits, etc., they are never aware.
Beloved, one of the most dangerous things that can befall a believer is spiritual compromise. Never grow so comfortable with sin to the extent that you no longer feel ashamed or convicted. Samson became so comfortable in sexual perversion that he kept changing harlots like underwear. He also became so complacent that he revealed to Delilah the golden secret behind the source of his power. When a believer starts justifying little sins with statements like, “After all, I am only human,” danger is imminent.
The greatest tragedy here is not only in the departure of God from Samson’s life but also in his actual ignorance of that fact. He was not even aware that God had long gone!
NOTABLE FACTS
- Sin never begins with a huge fall but with little compromises here and there. Little drops of water make the ocean. Samson’s disaster did not begin when his hair was cut but through a series of repeated sins. Throughout his life, he desired what God had forbidden, followed his flesh instead of divine promptings, mingled with those whom God had rejected, and treated his Nazarite calling and dedication with levity. According to Apostle James, each person is tempted by his own desire, and sin begets sin (James 1:14–15). Sin progresses step by step. David started by looking at Bathsheba; then he desired her, after which he called her and slept with her. He covered it up by killing Uriah, her husband. The series of sins continued like a cycle (2 Samuel 11).
SEARCHLIGHT:
Always be sensitive to the presence of God in your life, and know when there is danger as well as when to call for help.
PRAYER:
FATHER, may my life not end miserably, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
BIBLE READING:
Psalm 57–59; Revelation 14
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
