Sacrifice, Promise, and Your Assignment

don’t be afraid to ask…

3 The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. 4 Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. 5 You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

13 The angel of the Lord answered, “Your wife must do all that I have told her. 14 She must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, nor drink any wine or other fermented drink nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.”

16 The angel of the Lord replied, “Even though you detain me, I will not eat any of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the Lord.”

19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 20 As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame

23 But his wife answered, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this.”

24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, 25 and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.

yesterday i wrote about thanksgiving vs. sacrifice, that the former is welcomed more than the other by God. today, i cover that there were times that presenting an offering as a tribute and giving thanks to our Heavenly Father was a good thing.

when do you ask, it was when God had a specific plan and purpose for someone, which includes you too. the story of samson begins with his mother, who not being able to have a child, was visited by an angel of The Lord giving her great news - that she was going to be pregnant. as woman in those days were judged by her ability to have children, not having any she would have been shamed, people attributing this to her doing something wrong, character flaw, and/or sin.

with this promise, there was conditions which she must strictly follow prior to and after giving birth: no drinking alcohol and no eating bad food for her, and that she and her son was to not ever cut his hair (paraphrased). from the very beginning, before samson was even conceived and born, he was given his assignment - to lead and deliver the israelites from their enemy, the philistines.

how many of us know what God’s plans were for us from before we were born until death? how awesome to know that if we or our parents hear from God, from an angel of The Lord (messenger), and we follow His instructions 100%, that we will be used for Kingdom purposes and will succeed in accomplishing what He planned for us.

upon hearing such wonderous news, even with some possible doubt (uncertainty) by menoah, he prayed and asked God for the “man of God” to come back and explain what was told to his wife what they are to do. after menoah finished praying, God sent the angel again to speak to him and her, reiterating that they need to follow exactly what was told to them previously.

i’m not ashamed to say that i sometimes wonder if what i was told or thought i hearing was from God; that He was trying to tell me something and didn’t fully understand or believe, so i tried to find out. asking the person speaking and also in prayer to The Lord that if what i heard was correct. in this situation, God confirmed.

with that they both were so excited and wanted to “thank” God by providing a burnt offering. it must’ve been a delight to our Heavenly Father as He didn’t strike them down considering it to be unworthy or unacceptable. samson was then blessed from birth to adulthood.

i try not to hesitate to show my gratitude when something little or incredible happens and God provides - the way, solution, provision, etc. as i don’t want to ever take for granted what was done and by whom.

i want to be able to clearly hear God/Jesus speaking to me, prompted by the Holy Spirit, reading The Bible, and know for sure that what was promised will come to pass if i am faithful in following The Word and instructions spoken to me.

while we may no longer offer burnt offerings - animal sacrifices or grain, we can and should come to The Lord with a heart of appreciation and thanksgiving all the time as i want to receive, without reservations, the assignment given, finish the race strong, and to accept the reward that comes later by doing so.

dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the times you have spoken into my life and revealed your plans for me. i am sorry for the other times i went left instead of straight, and am grateful for the chance to get back on track. may i listen intently, careful to follow your instructions, allowing your Spirit to guide me, being patient, then completing my assignment. i want to hear one day, “well done good and faithful servant.” help me Lord Jesus to accomplish the plans you have for me. to you goes all the glory, honor, and praise, amen!