The story of Samson is a powerful reminder of God’s calling, our human frailty, and the relentless grace that pursues us even in our failures. From the very beginning, God set Samson apart for a unique purpose, calling him before he was even born. This divine calling is not exclusive to Samson; each of us is intricately formed and called by God for His glory and purposes. Yet, like Samson, we are faced with the daily choice: will we follow God’s will or our own desires?Samson’s life is marked by a cycle familiar to many of us: a clear calling, a tragic fall, a return to God, and then, heartbreakingly, a return to sin. His story reveals that the real battle is not against external temptations, but the internal struggle of whose will we will follow. The heart, as Scripture says, is deceitful and unreliable as a guide. When we let our desires chart our course, we inevitably drift from God’s best for us. The analogy of the compass that points not to true north, but to whatever we want most, illustrates how easily we can be led astray if we are not anchored in God’s Word.Despite his repeated failures, Samson’s story is ultimately one of hope. Even after his greatest defeat—blinded, imprisoned, and humiliated—Samson turns back to God. In his final moments, he calls out for God’s strength, and God responds, restoring his purpose and fellowship. This restoration is not just for Samson; it is a promise for all who return to God, no matter how far we have wandered.Chapters[00:00 ] - Welcome[01:00 ] - Next Gen Ministry and Summer Recap[03:30 ] - VBS Vision and Invitation[06:45 ] - Introduction to Samson: Why This Story Matters[09:30 ] - What Is a Judge? Israel’s Cycle of Faithfulness[11:08 ] - The Call of Samson: Set Apart from Birth[13:57 ] - The Fall: Samson’s Desires and the Pattern of Sin[16:35 ] - The Heart’s Deception: Lessons from Genesis[19:30 ] - The Compass of the Heart vs. God’s Word[23:08 ] - The Real Struggle: Whose Will Do We Follow?[25:32 ] - Samson’s Riddle, Betrayal, and Consequences[28:12 ] - Return to God: Repentance and Restoration[31:00 ] - The Return to Sin: Delilah and Spiritual Blindness[34:31 ] - Ignoring Red Flags and the Cost of Sin[37:24 ] - Samson’s Humiliation and God’s Grace[39:35 ] - Final Restoration: Samson’s Last Prayer[41:26 ] - The Holy Spirit: Old Testament vs. New Testament[43:42 ] - Relationship vs. Fellowship with God[45:43 ] - The Gospel Invitation[49:54 ] - Prayer of Salvation and Closing