“O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once…”

-Samson the Judge

How did I get here?

There was once a time that I walked upright in His house. There was once a time that a beacon was set before me, guiding me through a lightless world. There was once a time that Darkness could do no violence. There was once a time that The Evil Ones stood in fear, knowing Who I belonged to. There was once a time that Victory was my armor and Defeat bowed his head in shame. What became of those days?

Distraction came upon me. Enamored by her seductive beauty, I had forgotten my way. The path of light had faded into a memory as the Beacon had become dim. Like my eyes. My armor stripped of me. My source of strength. I gave it all away. What defined me became as fleeting time until it was a stranger. And then I fell asleep.

I was startled awake! The hands of The Evil Ones bound me. I fought with what little strength I had. The struggle only served my weakness. I looked into her eyes. The seductress. Kissed with deception. How could she? I was blinded. The one sense that betrayed me. Gone. They dragged me backwards as I tried to stay. The only evidence I was there? Claw marks dancing for miles.

Word traveled upon the lips and ears of the townspeople. “He was once great!”, “He was once mighty!”, “He was found, but now he’s lost. He could see, but now he’s blind.” they would say. Mocking tongues would say in jest “Where is his God now?” “He tasted victory, now he will choke on defeat!” I fear that they are right. Where is He? Have I exhausted time? Has it all caught up to me? I can only provide one answer to the question that is begged- I got here because I lost focus. And then slumber came upon me.

I can feel their hands upon me as they lock the shackles. One strikes me. “Where is your strength now, boy? Fight me!” the other responds “He probably could… if he could see”. This place is cold and smells of desolation. I can smell the fires burning, offering a dim faint ray of hope. Straining to stave off the darkness. 

Through time they work me. Pushing my weary soul beyond the breaking point. Daily. The minutes become hours. The hours beckon the days, and give birth to weeks, months, then eternity. They pull my chains like a puppet master, making me act the fool much to their enjoyment. Entertainment helps them to pass the time in this forsaken place. This place forgotten. Through time they abuse me. They use me. I have become their tool.

What have they done? A foot through the hornet’s nest. For time has provided more than use and abuse. The setting and the rising of the sun dictates the growing flame within. A hunger for yesteryear. A time before they had their way with me. A time when I could see the enemy… and bring devastation. Their folly will do them in. For their obsession with yesterday’s weakness has them jaded. They have been blinded to what has been growing. Tomorrow we find rest.

“Entertain us. boy! Get up! GET UP!” The masters grab me by my chords and lead me to the pavilion. I walk by each flame that struggles to light the corridor. The oil smells particularly sweet this day. I hear the voices mastering the silence. Each step I take I sense more and more of the quiet bow in submission. “He was once a great strong man, but now he’s nothing more than a crust of stale bread!” one says. “His heart are as his eyes… empty and useless!” another cries. Another taunts “Where is his God now?”

The cold pillars embrace my hand, as if they are joyous to see me again. I feel every stone. I feel every pit. Every indention as my hands release the sweat, running down to meet with the floor below. I feel Life. I hear laughter. I hear weeping. I hear concern. I hear noise clamoring to be deciphered, only to drown itself out in greed. I hear The Spirit Rising. I smell fear. I smell destruction. I taste my tears. I taste victory. Within my mind’s eye I see Him.

“Father!” 

“Yes my child”

“Please give me restoration. Please give me back my strength. This day! THIS DAY! I beg of you in the presence of thy enemies… give me victory!”

Then came the reckoning.