During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the LORD is over; they must let their hair grow long.
Numbers 6:5 (NIV)
Father, every time I read Numbers 6 my mind goes to Cecil B. DeMille’s movie “Samson and Delilah” starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr. I don’t know how many times I have jumped from reading that chapter to Judges 13 to read about the Biblical account of Your servant. I get so swept away into the storyline, my mind shouting out to Samson, “Don’t tell her! Don’t tell her!” Yet, he always does.
Though the movie does not accurately portray the Biblical narrative, it is entertaining nonetheless. But it raises a real topic for me: what does my dedication look like? Even now, as I reflect upon this question, I can hear You say to me, “Be holy for I am holy (Leviticus 11:4, 1 Peter 1:15-16).” And as I look at how I often prance around life, I wonder am I living carelessly like Samson in the DeMille movie or am I giving true Spirit guided thought to all my actions?
I pray for guidance and wisdom today. I pray for a sensitive spirit that sees not just the obvious, surface impacts of my actions, but connects the dots on the long term implications. I pray that You would continue to show me what things in my world have a grip on my heart and “contaminates” my spirit, causing me not to walk in the path that You have laid out for me. And I pray for the strength to conquer it now, by the power You have given me by the Spirit, that I might stand before You faithful to the call.
I rejoice today because as I read Numbers, I not only see what You required, but also see that You have made provisions in the (un)likely event that the vow is broken (Numbers 6:9). And even as You made provisions for those who took the Nazarite vow, You have made provision for those of us who have called upon Your Name. Thank You for Christ, Who is the precious Lamb of God, Who stands now in the gap for me when I fall short. Help me, Father, to not do so. But when I do, please continue to pull me back into Your hedge of protection in Jesus. Thank You for Him and Your love. Amen.