The Church as many of us know it, will never get by with not restoring those who were overtaken in a fault. Unknown to many, the reaping of this one apostolic directive, has wreaked great havoc among those who were in a position to do something about it. Some actually did it for their own, but did not see to it that it was also done on the local church level, among all the people. People were discarded.

I was urged to read on today, about what happened to Samson, after he failed so terribly. They put out his eyes, and used him like an animal to grind at the mill. The time came, that these folk, were having a celebration for their god, bringing about his defeat. They had him brought forth, and made him “make sport for them.” I didn’t really research, what that term actually meant. But I can just imagine what it must have been about. Three thousand people were on the roof of the building, enjoying what happened to him. I think that we need to remember, that this man was now blind.

I wonder how much sport, was made about those who had in some way, been overtaken. How much talk, how many unkind things were said, how many looked down on that person and just how much did anyone really do, to reach out to them. In the writing about restoring such, we know well about what our attitude should have been. There was also a strict admonition, of what could also happen to us, if we failed to do this, and do it in the right spirit.

There is a cry among many today. Many of our most talented and gifted people, were somehow overcome. When you have been left to die beside the road, and no one comes by or even calls, you go through this feeling of just giving up. Since you cannot live up to the expectations of others, you’ve disagreed with some of those traditions of men, or you’ve really been terribly caught up in your own personal weaknesses, there is a resignation to just give up everything. You’ll never prove yourself again to some; why try.

Samson, was a chosen vessel of God. It might be surprising to many, that he also judged Israel, for twenty years. He was not dirt, or trash that should have only been disposed of. As in the case of the Prodigal son, the boy was not a hog; he was a son of royal heritage. I have to be true to myself, in saying that the older brother, did not go looking for him, and neither was he glad when the younger brother came back. Only the father, ran to meet him. It is a fact of scripture, that his son, was restored to full fellowship.

“Use me Lord, one more time,” has become the cry of many a soul that has somehow fought their way back to the Father’s house. If we can visualize it, Samson defeated more of the enemy in that one last time, than at any other time before. I believe, that the Spirit is speaking through this old biblical story.

You see, God is truly in charge of His ways, and His will. Although many who are in their self-righteous mode, do not think so, we can learn a great deal from our mistakes. Many have fallen or just been pushed aside. When all hope was lost, from that terrible valley of dry bones, the Spirit has arisen, to use these vessels, one more time.

~ Robert Blackburn

Robert Blackburn