ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna – One More Chance for the Lord
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
KEY VERSE
“And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes” (Judges 16:28).
Bible Reading:
Judges 16:22-31 (KJV)
22 Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.
24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.
25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.
28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
31 Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the buryingplace of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.
MESSAGE
Long-distance runners most often seem to acquire strange strength when they get to the last lap of their race. This is quite understandable. To the runner, already seeing the finishing line, the last lap is so decisive and, therefore, demands that the runner throws in everything he can muster.
As seen in our text, Samson was in the final lap of his ministry and life. For about two decades, he had been the champion of Israel. Severally, he had humbled the enemies of Israel, especially the Philistines, by his God-given superhuman strength. But alas! he fell in love with Delilah – a Philistine harlot who had a mandate to bring him down. She tricked Samson into revealing the secret of his power. The Philistines cashed in on that information, bound Samson, put out his eyes and made him grind in their prison. Thus, Samson became a classical victim of fleshly lust.
In today’s text, we find Samson thoroughly abused during the Philistines’ solemn festival in honour of Dagon, their god. They made a show of him. But Samson remembered his God and prayed for just one more chance to deal with the Philistines. The Lord granted his prayer, and he, holding on to the two key pillars of the huge theatre, pulled the structure down, crushing the whole assembly of men and women and dying in the process. He slew more in death than in life.
We have as much to learn from Samson’s restoration as from his last prayer. Any backslider that sincerely runs back to God, even if it be by the force of adversity, will receive pardon and grace. As believers, we must be conscious of the desperate hour we are in today. We have come to the last lap of history. The hosts of hell must not be allowed to have the last laugh. Our reserved strength and preserved resources must be called up for the great commission and the challenge of the hour. We must muster our reserved strength and passion to cause unprecedented damage to the kingdom of Satan and rescue souls from his prison house.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
We have limited time to make an impact for God
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Leviticus 5-7
COMMENTARY
1. Samson’s Tragic Fall – Samson was a man of extraordinary strength and divine calling. Yet, his lust for Delilah led to his downfall. He lost his strength, his eyes, and his freedom. This is a sobering reminder that even the most anointed believers can fall when they give in to fleshly desires. No one is immune to temptation.
2. The Last Lap of Life – The devotional compares Samson to a runner in the final lap of a race. He had come to the end of his life and ministry. This is a call to believers to recognize that we are in the last lap of history. The time is short, and we must throw everything we have into finishing well.
3. Samson’s Prayer of Restoration – In his humiliation, Samson cried out to God: “Remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, only this once.” Despite his failures, God heard his prayer and restored his strength. This demonstrates that God’s mercy is available even to those who have fallen deeply. A sincere cry for help is never ignored by God.
4. Finishing with Impact – Samson slew more Philistines in his death than in his life. His final act was his most significant. This teaches us that it is never too late to make an impact for God. Even if we have failed, we can still finish strong. What matters is that we use whatever strength remains for God’s glory.
5. The DCLM Ministry’s Call to Urgency – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes the urgency of the hour. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that believers must be aware of the times and use every opportunity to advance God’s kingdom. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to rise above past failures and pour out their strength for the Great Commission.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and urgency in fulfilling the Great Commission.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to finish well and make an eternal impact.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, forgive me for any area where I have fallen short. Restore me and strengthen me. Help me to recognize the urgency of the hour and to use the strength I have left for Your glory. I do not want to waste the time and resources You have given me. May I finish well and make an impact for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
