The Refused Goat
Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, I'm going to my wife's room. But her father would not let him go in.
Judges 15:1 (NIV)
At wheat harvest, Samson visited his wife with goats: I'm going to my wife's room. But fathers-in-law barred entries. Faith learning from shut doors. Samson reaped hasty choices' consequences. Gifts never open doors character shut. Goats never mend marriages. Shut doors preach.
He took a young goat: cheap reconciliation attempts. Samson abandoned wives angrily; returned with treats. Faith demands more than gifts: repentance. Goats without change are emotional bribes. God cannot be bought with services nor wives with treats. Reconciliations call for confessions, never goats.
But her father would not let him in: the girl was given to another. Decisions carry interest. Samson discovered absences cost. Mature faith calculates before abandoning. Doors slammed impulsively God does not always reopen pitifully. Divine mercy never cancels human harvests. Plant winds, sleep at doors.
Today, examine your doors: which did anger shut? Carry repentance, never goats. Humble returning faith finds grace; demanding returning finds locks. And guard open doors: never impulsively abandon what you prayed receiving. Gifts maintain, presence preserves.
And return humbly: locked doors test hearts. Return humbly today. Locked doors test. Bring repentance. Knock soft. Weep real. Change ways. Stay true. Abide. Remain.