In Judges 15 Samson goes to see his wife, but her father refuses to let him see her because he had given her to Samson’s best man. The father offers her younger sister to him. But Samson refuses. In anger he burns the Philistines’ crops and vineyards. The Philistines kill Samson’s wife and her father. Samson attacks the Philistines and the Philistines make a raid in Judah. When they ask why the Philistines have come they say they have come for Samson. The men of Judah approach Samson and ask why he has set their rulers against them. He responds that they did the same to him. The men of Judah bind Samson with ropes and take him to where the Philistines are encamped. The spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson and the ropes break away. Samson kills the Philistine. He judges Israel for twenty years.

In Judges 16 Samson falls in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines have Delilah find out how Samson is so strong. Several times he tricks her, but she begins to nag him for the answer and he finally tells her that it is his hair that makes him strong. Delilah lets Samson fall asleep and has a man shave off his hair. When he tries to fight the Philistines he is weak and is blinded and imprisoned. But his hair starts to grow back.

The Philistines sacrifice to their god Dagon in thanks for capturing Samson. They bring Samson out to see how weak he is. He asks to be put between two pillars. He prays that God will strengthen him once more so that he may die while destroying the Philistines. Samson moves the pillars and the house comes down on everyone. His family buries him in the tomb of his father Manoah.

Samson may have allowed himself to be tempted to sin, but God helped him because of his faith. When we allow ourselves to be tempted into sin our witness is weakened. We no longer have the strength to do the things God has gifted us to do or to witness to His greatness in our lives. Others see that we are no different from them and do not believe that God is with us. But as we put our faith in God, He is faithful to restore our strength and lets us become a strong witness again.

In Mark 5 Jesus meets a man possessed by many unclean spirits. No one could control him. The spirits recognize Jesus and his power. They plead with him not to send the away, but instead to let them inhabit a herd of swine. He grants their request and the swine ran into the sea and drown. The people of the town are frightened by Jesus’ power. The man asks come with Jesus but he tells him to go and tell everyone what the Lord has done for him.

One of the leaders of the synagogue asks Jesus to make his daughter well. She is dying. Jesus goes with him and a crowd follows. While they are walking a woman with a hemorrhage touches Jesus cloak believing that she will be healed. Jesus notices that some power has left him and asks who touched him. The woman comes to him. Jesus tells her that her faith has made her well.

Some people come to say that the little girl has died. Jesus tells the man not to be afraid, only believe. He tells the girl to get up and she does. He then tells them not to tell anyone about this.

“Do not fear, only believe.” These are words that are repeated throughout the New Testament. When we are faced with struggles in our lives, we become frightened. Jesus encourages us not to be afraid, only believe. We have seen that belief brings results. We have no reason to fear. Believe.