The miraculous birth of Samson was the subject of the pastor's talk, given to members of Hesed Fellowship in Carringtons Restaurant on Sunday afternoon. Manoah's wife, who was barren, gave birth to Samson, having been foretold about it by a man of God. In this case, the man seemed like an angel. When Manoah heard of his wife's experiences, he did not doubt her story, but rather prayed that God would send the man again. "I have seen God!" Manoah cried after the angelic man had ascended in the flames of a sacrificial offering. There is evidence to suggest that Manoah and his wife had just encountered Jesus - centuries before his birth in Bethlehem. "Manoah didn't put God in a box, this was a man who disciplined himself to pray about the things he didn't understand," explained Peter. "May we open our minds to the possibility that God really wants to use us in some way as individuals and as a fellowship." He also observed: "When God wants to do something great, normally He doesn't send an army, but a baby - sometimes announced by an angel. God is always prepared and never in a hurry." Listing examples, he continued: "His great plan of salvation got under way when He called Abraham and Sarah and gave them Isaac. When He wanted to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, God sent the baby Moses to Amram and Jochebed; and when in later years Israel desperately needed revival, God gave the baby Samuel to Hannah. When the fullness of time arrived, God gave the baby Jesus to Mary; and that baby grew up to die on the cross for the sins of the world." Songs of praise followed, and the service ended with a chat over coffee. Sunday services are held at 4.15 pm in Carringtons, under the Atlantic Hotel on Tenby's Esplanade. Please visit the website, http://www.hesed.co.uk">www.hesed.co.uk for more information.
