Judges 13-16
Arguably one of the best-known characters of the Old Testament; ask someone to describe Samson in a few words and it’s likely to yield something along the lines of “long haired strong man”. Yet a critical reading of his story would probably lead to a different conclusion. Samson had tremendous potential; born with credentials that few are blessed with and a leader of his nation for twenty years, it might be more accurate to paraphrase that well-known catchphrase from the 80’s game show ‘Bullseye’, “Look what he could’ve won.”
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Idea 1: Using our strength for God’s work Samson certainly had pretty impressive physical strength. I’m not sure about you, but I don’t know too many people who can tear a lion in half, single-handedly kill a thousand people with a donkey’s jaw bone or carry two massive gateposts on his shoulders? Fact is, it was strength from God, on his own Samson was no different from the rest of us.
Of course, strength is not confined to the physical, each of us has unique ‘strengths’, given by God, that we can use for His glory. When we give them back to God, He is able to magnify them to fulfil His purpose (Matt 14:13-21)
- What unique strengths has God given you?
- Are you keeping them to yourself?
Idea 2: Super Strength and Super Weakness If you’re like me, you’ll recall a Sunday school story of Samson that was big on the ‘strong bloke who fought a lot’ and not too focused on ‘the Nazirite with poor judgement who sinned a lot’. Then, when you got to read the fully uncensored version, you realized his phenomenal strength was more than matched by his monumental weaknesses. Here was a man who made a load of bad choices, particularly with regard to the women he associated with and married.
Despite all of this God still used him; He answered Samson’s prayer by restoring his strength for a ‘grand finale’. In that last act, Samson killed more Philistines than he did in his whole life – a heroic ending to a much-troubled life.
- Are you living up to God’s plan for your life?
- When you mess up, as we all do, know that God is merciful. Ask for His forgiveness, turn away from those sins and get back on track.
- Most importantly, never give up.
Idea 3: Listen to wise counsel Relationships can be a minefield; as blokes, we need all the help we can get to avoid the ‘Delilah’s’ the enemy will send. In these situations, our greatest vulnerabilities are exposed and we’re tempted into stuff that can ruin us.
When we are in an unhealthy relationship, or maybe on the verge of one, God will use those around us to deliver wise counsel. Samson defied the warnings his parents gave about the Philistine woman and Delilah, but we should be attentive to the insights we receive from those who love us – when wisdom knocks the door, we must answer.
- Have you rejected the wisdom of someone close? Was it God wanting the best for you?
- Might God be wanting to use you as wise counsel to a mate?
Action
However badly we may have failed in the past, it’s never too late to start again. Ask God to reveal again His plan for your life and see those strengths unleashed in you that He uniquely gives.