After the angel told the woman how the boy Samson should be raised, she reported all that she was told to her husband, Manoah, who then prayed. But his prayer was not what many of us would have expected. He did not thank God for this promised gift. Nor did he ask God for strength and wisdom to obey. Instead, he asked God to send the man of God back once more to teach them what they should do for the boy to be born. In other words, Manoah prayed for the very thing his wife had just been given.

Honestly, we must admit there is some Manoah in each of us. We too are prone to ask God for the very things He has given. Perhaps it is because we doubt Him and want confirmation. Perhaps it is because we secretly hope He will give us a different answer the second time. Or perhaps it is because we just don’t listen well. For whatever reason or reasons, we do the same. And this is why we need to pay attention to how God responded to Manoah. He sent the angel of the Lord back again! Let us never fail to remember that God is a patient God, full of grace and mercy for His people.

What have you asked God for repeatedly, even after He answered you? Why?