“You’re Killin’ Me”

Aug. 30

Read: Judges 15

“You’re Killin’ Me”

“And (Samson) was very thirsty, and he called upon the LORD and said, “You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” (v.18)

To be used by God is draining. This is the aftermath of having the Spirit “rush” upon you being a part of powerful ministry led by God. It is an odd paradox, the Spirit both brings power and strength as well as expends it. It is not uncommon to feel drained after having poured yourself out in authentic ministry. Just because we are being led by God and filled with his spirit does not mean we will never be tired or worn out. The real question is, what do we do when we come to that point.

It is a refrain we have heard before: “are you going to leave me here to die? / Did you bring us here to die?” The Israelites hollered this at Moses in the midst of the Lord freeing them from Egypt! “They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (Ex 14:11) They had experienced the supernatural provision of God and protection from the plagues… and yet they thought God was against them in some way and that they had been brought out to the wilderness to die. Samson is utterly drained after conquering these Philistines and he immediately turns to the Lord in his tiredness and thirst and asks if he is going to let him die now. It questions God’s character and motives to respond this way to his work. If we have been told that we are “exempt” from tiredness, trials, or feelings of being tired or “drained… then we are shocked when we feel this way. The greatest moments of ministry and breakthrough are oftentimes followed by some of the lowest moments / feelings of being drained… and maybe even discouraged. Both Samson and Jesus show us what we need to do in these moments.

After every big moment in the ministry of Jesus, we find a time when Jesus RETREATS to the wilderness… to a place of solitude and rest. (cf. Matt 14:13, 23, 29, Mark 1:12,16,35,45, 6:31-32, etc.) In the wilderness he “goes to his Father”, crying out to the Lord and spending time in prayer and solitude. He does this, in part, to “refuel”. He is in some way experiencing those same feelings we have been talking about. Think about immediately following Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, it says that afterwards “angels came and attended to him”. He was tired, thirsty, and hungry and God was taking care of him. When we experience this “tiredness” the first thing we need to do is withdraw and call out to the Lord. Jesus did just that and so did Samson in this passage. You need to “voice your concerns”… speak to the Lord… tell him how you feel and what you need. You know what happens when you do? HE PROVIDES.

God provides for his tired children! God provides for those who are drained, weary, and “heavy laden”. The Lord calls all who are “thirsty” and “hungry” to come to him. (ie. John 4:13-15, Luke 1:53, Matt 11:28 etc.) Look at Samson’s story: “And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived.” (v.19) When we cry are and ask, “did you bring me out here to die?” God answers, “No. Quite the opposite actually… I brought you here to experience my restoration and love. I brought you here so that you could watch me work… and I will… again and again and again. This is what I do! I am the loving Father who protects and provides for my children.” When we are “drained” we are in need of both physical and spiritual healing and renewal, and God brings both… and he does so in both natural and SUPERnatural ways.

Do you see that here? The origin of the water is SUPERnatural… but water quenching thirst is a very natural / normal thing. God has built some natural things into the universe to renew our energy and strength. He also is pouring out his SUPERnatural into the universe as well… this is the Kingdom of God. We need to be restored through both SUPERnatural as well as natural means. Jesus slept… we need sleep. Jesus ate food…we need food. Jesus drank water… We need water. But that alone is not enough - “man shall not live by bread alone”. We need God’s spiritual restoration and “filling” as well… we need that “rushing” of the Spirit. This is the rhythm of walking with God. Look at Samson… what happened when he drank of what God brought him?: “his spirit returned”. (v.19) Call out to the Lord today. He has not forgotten you and is not leaving you to die. If you find yourself in a tired and worn out place, he is ready, willing, and able to bring you life. Some of the way he does this is very “normal”… get some rest, slow down, eat some food, drink some water… but this alone will never be enough. You must come to him in prayer, seek the Lord, share your TRUE heart felt emotions… and the Lord will bring you LIFE - the OPPOSITE of death. Love you guys. - JDP