“So Manoah asked the angel, ‘When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?’…Then Manoah asked the angel of the Lord, ‘What is your name?
For when all this comes true, we want to honor you.’”
Judges 13:12, 17
The Israelites had been under Philistine oppression for forty years when the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife, a childless woman. God knew the shame she had carried for years, yet He came to HER with a promise, “Even though you HAVE been unable to have children, you WILL soon become pregnant and give birth to a son.” This miracle child would be dedicated to the Lord from birth, for he was to deliver God’s people.
What strikes me most about Samson’s birth is this couple’s faith. When the angel first appeared, Manoah was not present. So, he prayed that God would let the angel return and give more instructions about his son who IS to be born! When the angel did return, neither of Manoah’s questions were about IF,but WHEN your words come true. And after watching the angel of the Lord ascend in the fire from their offering, they both fell with their faces to the ground in faith-filled worship.
Deliverance for Israel came because one couple believed what God said. Instead of wondering IF, they waited for WHEN…and God’s promises came true.
I may HAVE BEEN unable to give birth to miracles,
But GOD says I WILL…
The question is not IF God will do the miracles, but WHEN!
