Forgiveness

"But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved." Judges 16:22

Samson has just disobeyed the biggest rule God told him about. A Nazarite from day one, Samson has never, never, NEVER EVER cut his hair . . . until now. He gave away his secret to Delilah, who betrayed him to the Philistines. They cut his hair, beat him, gouged his eyes out, shackled him, and put him to work grinding mill in their prison. This is the scene we come upon in verse 22. "But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved." Whaaaaat? Samson disobeyed God. His amazing strength is brought down to nothing. "The Lord had left him" (16:20). And yet, through God's amazing mercy, Samson's hair began to grow again. Samson's hair is the symbol of his relationship with the Lord. While his hair was long, the Lord was with him and he would level towns and cities, kill lions with his bare hands, and nothing could stop him. His hair was shaved off, and the Lord left him and his strength was gone. But then his hair began to grow again. Samson had basically turned away from the Lord, and his relationship with him was gone. But then the Lord allowed his hair to grow again. Wow. I can't even understand it. There's no way for me to get it. My brain just can't understand that kind of amazing love. Thank you, Father, that you love us that much. Thank you for your love that never fails, never runs out, never gives up on me. ♥

One Passion

Today I'm posting DOUBLE because I found an old journal entry in one of my notebooks from 2008. I was 14 when I wrote this. I don't know if I heard it somewhere, or read it, or just heard it from my heart, but I really love this so here it is :)

"Give me one pure and holy passion. Give me one magnificent obsession. Jesus give me one glorious ambition for my life: to know and follow hard after You." ♥

Psalm 23

The Lord is my guide, my protector, my provider. He'll take care of me so I won't want for anything. He lets me rest in beautiful places. We'll walk together in places of peace, and he'll bring my soul back to life. I will feel alive in his presence. He teaches me to do what's right, no matter the cost, to glorify His Beautiful Name. So even if I'm in horrible places of darkness and despair, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your guidance and your discipline, the way you take care of me, makes me feel at peace. Even when I'm surrounded by enemies, you lay out a banquet for me. You bless me and anoint me beyond anything I could even contain. Because of you, goodness, forgiveness, and mercy will be with me my whole life, and I will stay in your house forever and ever. ♥