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18 Then he became very thirsty, and he called to the Lord and said, “You have handed this great victory over to Your servant, and now am I to
die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?”
19 But God split the hollow place that is in Lehi so that water came out of it. When he drank, his strength returned and he revived. Therefore he named it En-hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day.
20 So he judged Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines.
God’s servants, at times, are forced into lonely battles. They may not be understood by others and find themselves in situations of spiritual and physical thirst. Samson also experienced such circumstances. When you are on the brink of death from thirst, who do you turn to for help? The people of Judah were delivered from the Philistines by Samson, yet they didn’t extend a helping hand to him. Samson was without water, suffering from extreme thirst. So, he turned to the Lord for help. (1) He understood well that victory over the Philistines was given by the Lord (Samson recognizes his mission, but his failure lies in not always being faithful to it). (2) He cried out that he was dying of thirst, but the meaning behind it was that if he remained in such state, he won’t be able to fight against the Philistines any longer and will be killed. (3) God immediately answered his prayer and split open a hollow place in Lehi (where Samson piled up the enemy’s dead bodies), and water came out of it. (4) Samson drank the water, his strength returned, and he was revived. (5) The people who handed Samson over to the enemy now looked up to him as a leader. Samson judged Israel as a judge for twenty years.
The place where Samson drank the water was named “En-hakkore,” which means “the spring of the caller.” In Psalm 34:6-7, it says, “This wretched man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.” This is a promise of blessing given to all Christians. When Abraham attempted to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah, he was provided a ram as a substitute. He named that place “Adonai-Yireh,” which means “the Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:14). Are you feeling like you’re dying of thirst right now? God will also give you the experience of “En-hakkore” and the blessing of “Adonai-Yireh.” Let’s cry out to God.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, you know all my needs, and at the right time, you provide what is necessary. I praise your name. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.