The Illusion Of Sampson

Deborah Shipman

debangel@suddenlink.net

I have for the last few days been thinking of Sampson and being reminded of how Sampson thought that everything would continue as before. That he would rise up and everything would be the same yet it was not for he had given away that which was what kept him. As I have thought on this I began to see that many are now doing the same as Sampson thinking that if they just do as they did before everything will be as it was before and the results will be the same. Yet I am hearing that that is not how it will be. That as Sampson found it was different than before so will those who think they can do the same as before and still get the same results. No it is not for the same reasons as Sampson for this is the last days and all that has been prophesied is now coming to pass yet still as with Sampson the results will now be different than before.

For this is the last days as was told us would come in Revelations. It is the time that we have waited for and looked forward to yet now that it is here many want everything to go back to the way it was and keep it the same. They are performing all they have learned how to do and as they do they think it will somehow stop what is now here. For the reality of it really happening is as Sampson who thought the consequences would never come and so he continued on thinking everything would remain as they were. Yes he knew they could yet he really didn't think it would ever happen so he continued on thinking things would always remain the same as before. Yet they did come and he did face them and found new strength and courage in the midst of the horrible consequences he faced. And as he did face them he found a strength that he didn't even know he had and defeated more than he did in his whole lifetime.

And so it is with us. We are now facing a time unlike any that has been before and with it comes the unknown looking at us in the face. A time that we knew was coming yet really didn't think it would, at least not in our lifetime even though we hinted at the fact it might. So now it is hear and before us. And just as any child will do we are trying our hardest to get our daddy to change his mind, to somehow stop this or at least delay it cause all we can see is it is daddy mad at us and if we just do what makes daddy not mad he will stop. Yet as with Sampson we will find our daddy will not cause it is time for all things to be made new and with this comes the birth pangs of the old being removed and the new coming in.

Yes there are many who see this as God angry at us and now bringing the long awaited judgment that was just waiting to grab us. For many it is something that was there in the back of their minds that they really felt would always come, this anger and wrath that God had and was just waiting for the right time to bring forth. And now if they accept that this is the last days then all they can see is anger coming forth from this one who is called God. So now its trying to do all that can be done to stop this wrathful God from unleashing all the pent up anger he has been holding inside by repenting and doing all the things they weren't doing before. Pulling out all the stops and franticly grasping for anything they can find or do to appease this wrathful God who has decided he is not going to take this any more.

Prophecies are coming forth by the tons now saying that if we pray enough, repent enough, fast enough then it will stop the wrath and everything will go back to the way it was before he somehow took notice of all that was happening and it made him really mad. And for some they see God as beyond just mad, he is really, really angry and ready now to end it all. Some are just avoiding the one who will arise and going right into us ruling and reigning if we will just stand up and fight so we can win and make everything all better cause it is up to us to bring the new kingdom in. And now it will be Jesus ruling thru us so it will be wonderful and we will live happily every after. No having to face any real trauma or pain just us bringing in the new kingdom for Jesus. Just so many different scenario's with each way of looking at it being backed up by the bible so they each one are right and the others are wrong.

Yet in all of this we see the frantic rush to somehow stop what at one time many looked forward to. To make it go away or to just jump ahead to the glorious time of our new kingdom. And so we continue on trying our hardest to avoid that which we know must come and as Sampson we are finding the illusion we wanted is not what is. Yet we are still holding on to the belief that the birth pangs will go away and God will get over being angry cause we will show him he must by how good we can be.

As a women who knows the birth is close we sense the new kingdom being birthed is near. Yet just as the women wants to believe that just maybe the birth pangs will not hurt so are we trying to believe the illusion that it will not be that bad or we can avoid it or somehow change it. And with every pang we tremble as they come. We cry out as the women who is in the travail cries out for it to stop yet it doesn't. We watch and listen closely for anything that will say it will end or it will not continue getting worse for this is supposed to be something beautiful just as the baby is supposed to be wonderful.

At times the birth pangs are not so bad and we think just maybe it won't hurt so bad and then here it comes another one that hurts and we cry out for relief yet no relief comes for the birth is coming. The baby is ready to be born and we must accept this just as the women must accept it is time to face the pain of giving birth.

As Sampson finally found the strength to defeat the enemy while in the midst of his greatest defeat so must we now find that same strength to face this that is now here. And we must trust that Jesus and the father are not mad at us nor against us as things progress. As the birth pangs increase we must look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith and know that he will bring us thru, that this that is happening is not something we did nor is it something we can stop.

Sampson found himself facing the reality that there was going to be no deliverance as before and for a time he just endured it thinking that maybe he was wrong and deliverance would come. As his hair began to grow out he began to believe that now that that which he had thrown away was back then God would change his mind and he would find deliverance. Yet he finally realized it was not to be and was able to find that which we call grace to face what was and he found victory in the midst of the consequences he now accepted.

The tower of Babel was stopped by our father alone and if it was not time he would do it again not because we prayed enough or fasted enough. He would do it because it was not time. And he would do it just like that with no help from us. So as things progress continue to pray, continue to fast if u are lead to, continue to repent, continue to be a light thru which Jesus will shine as things grow darker and darker yet do it not because you are trying to change the fathers mind or get him to delay what is happening. Do spiritual warfare and continue to defeat the enemy not because we are bringing in the new kingdom for Jesus will do that at the appointed time and he will do it all by himself. Do all that you do because it is who you are, it is because of your love for Jesus and what he did, because the love within you that is Jesus shinning thru you compels you to show forth him.

For doing it for any other reason will only bring condemnation, will only bring accusation and disunity between us who are family as the days progress. And if what you are doing is not because it is who you are, if what you are doing is not the love that is within you shinning forth to a lost and a dying world that needs to know he died for them and rose again then the desire will fade as you realize what you are doing will not change what is happening. And the very one that you now believe you love will become the one you hate.

Find that place within you to cry as Jesus did when he knew it was time to face the cross. Cry out as Jesus did that if this cup can pass then let it but if not then thy will be done. Find your garden of Gethsemane where you can finally be at peace with what the father says must now be. And then as Jesus arise and go forth knowing that Jesus is with you and will bring you thru this that is now here. Know that our father is not mad nor angry at you as things progress and rejoice as the storms around you rage for as Peter Jesus will bring you safely to the boat. He will not fail you nor forsake you for he is with you always, even unto the end. Amen forevermore.