Today we read about Samson & I'm going to cheat & post what my Application Bible writes of Samson’s life because I think it summarizes him quite well.
It is sad to be remembered for what one might have been. Samson had tremendous potential. Not many people have started life with credentials like his. Born as a result of God’s plan in the lives of Manoah & his wife, Samson was to do a great work for God – to “begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” To help him accomplish God’s plan, he was given enormous physical strength.
Because Samson wasted his strength on practical jokes & getting out of scrapes, & because he eventually gave it up altogether to satisfy the woman he loved, we tend to see him as a failure. We remember him as the judge in Israel who spent his last days grinding grain in an enemy prison, & we say, “What wasted potential!”
Yes, Samson wasted his life. He could have strengthened his nation. He could have returned his people to the worship of God. He could have wiped out the Philistines. But even though he did none of those things, Samson still accomplished the purpose announced by the angel who visited his parents before his birth. In his final act, Samson began to rescue Israel from the Philistines.
Interestingly, the New Testament does not mention Samson’s failures or his heroic feats of strength. In Hebrews 11:33, he is simply listed with others “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, & gained what was promised,” & in other ways were given superhuman aid. In the end, Samson recognized his dependence on God. When he died, God turned his failures & defeats into victory. Samson’s story teaches us that it is never too late for us to put our complete trust in God.
Just as God repeatedly showed mercy & forgiveness to the Israelites, he showed it to Samson, & will show it to us. God wants to use us. He will pick up the pieces of our failures (no matter how big or small), reshape us & use us when we return to him.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Judges 16-18
2 comments:
It seemed like Samson was reckless in the beginning with some of the choices he made. He chose a Philistine for a wife, his parents tried steering him towards possibly choosing an Israelite women but Samson was in love with this Philistine already and couldn't be changed. This type of error in judgement led to trouble down the road for Samson. A lesson for us that the choices we make now will effect us later, and how important prayer is in making wise decisions.
In this passage we see God accomplishing His will despite Samson, and Samson was the one kissing out on the blessing of being used by God as He intended. What blessings do we miss out on due to our disobedience?
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