SCRIPTURE:
"With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “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.”
Judges 16:16-17
OBSERVATION:
Delilah had been nagging Samson over and over again about the source of his great strength. After her third attempt, he began to grow tired of it and gave in to her pestering, which ultimately led to his demise.
APPLICATION:
There’s an acronym that is widely used when it comes to stressful situations and the choices we may make during those times – H.A.L.T. It stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired. When we are feeling any of those emotions or a mix of them, we need to pause and stop, so that we don’t make any foolish decisions.
Samson was obviously tired, and instead of taking a break from the nagging, he gave into it. He wasn’t the only person in the bible who should have halted.
Esau sold his birthright because he was hungry (Genesis 25:29-34). Out of anger towards God because of his offering, Cain kills his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-8). Instead of going off to war like other Kings in the spring, David sends his entire army and stays back. We find him alone making not one, but two costly mistakes (2 Samuel 11).
Once during a disagreement with my wife, I said some extremely hurtful things that to this day, I wish I could take back. At the time, I was experiencing a combination of being Hungry, Angry, Lonely AND Tired. And even though I could hear the Holy Spirit telling me “Shut up, you are going to regret this,” I kept on talking. I should have halted.
When you are hungry – halt, when you are angry – halt, when you are lonely – halt and when you are tired – halt, ESPECIALLY if you need to make a decision.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for the things I have done and said out of my emotions. Thank You Lord for the examples you have shown us so we can avoid making costly mistakes. May I halt, especially when faced with decisions I need to make, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
