Samson. The mere mention of his name brings his story back to mind. But there were new lessons to be gleaned from this old story:
- We must keep our ears inclined to hear God speak. Knowing they will have a son given to them by God, Manoah asks the angel, “When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?”
(Judges 13:12, NLT) Oh, to have faith and a boldness to ask that question! And yet the question speaks of humility and obedience as well. This was a beautiful reminder to hold onto the promises of God.ĆĀ I can’t help but challenge myself with this question…. What would change for me if I were to hold without wavering to hope and to the truth that God is faithful to keep His promises? - Parenting requires wisdom. Samson seems to be a young man who is spoiled by his parents. Even though his fathers asks him “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” (Judges 14:3,NLT),ĆĀ Samson still tells him to go and get her for him. And his father obliges.ĆĀ As parents, we need to be wise and stand firm when we know something is not of God. As parents, we cannot indulge everything our children demand. For they will grow up to be adults who want their every whim.
- We need one another to remain spiritually healthy. We see Samson respond to a situation that will cost him his wife. He again responds in anger, in revenge. And then goes to live in a cave. I’m sure we all have faced circumstances that make us want to hide in a cave. But we can’t. We have to face life. The verses in Hebrews are a wonderful reminder that we need one another. Coming together is necessary for us to remain healthy in our spiritual walk. We need this today more than ever and the next generation will need to come together even more than we do. May we remember there is a strength and health which comes from being together in worship with other believers. “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT) We need one another.
- God is merciful when we call out to Him. The people have disobeyed several times in battle in “killing many of them” (the Philistines) and not “all of them”, as God had instructed. I am amazed at the mercy of our God … He responds when His people cry out to Him. Don’t miss the name of the Spring. He still quenches the thirst of all who come to Him … “Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink.” (John 7:37-38, NLT)
- We cannot play with fire or we will get burned. Samson – just does not keep himself away from temptation. When will he ever learn? The familiar story of Samson and Delilah fell fresh this morning as I realized how spiritual blindness keeps us from seeing or recognizing the truth, temptation or danger. Judges 16:16 sums it all up, “She tormented him with her nagging day after day until he was sick of it.” (NLT) That is the way the enemy operates – he torments us day after day. May we see his taunts for what they are and put on the armor of God which protects us, and resist him. May we be mindful of the things we “desire” , as not all that we desire is of God.
The book of Judges – sobering and stretching …
“Temptations, when we meet them at first, as as the lion that reared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them.” (John Bunyan)
May we be wise.
Overcoming in His strength.
Today I am joining … Sharing His Beauty and Playdates With God and Inspire Me Monday and #SmallWonder .
Sobering and stretching. Yes, I always come away from the book of Judges kind of sad. Especially with Samson, because he had so many reasons to do things God’s way from the beginning. Thankful for grace.
It’s true, Michele. And yet, through it all, God was working His purposes through Samson’s life.
Very good lessons from Samson’s life! We can find so many lessons from the book of Judges.
A few years ago, I came across an unexpected lesson from the story of Samson. While studying Hebrews, I was puzzled at finding Samson listed in the Hebrews 11 ‘Hall of Faith.’ Why is such a spiritually weak man as Sampson listed among all these other great men and women of faith, I wondered?
Going back to Judges and reading again the story of Samson, I discovered this in Judges 14:4, “However, his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.”
It was all part of God’s plan. Even Samson’s weakness was used of God for His glory and His purpose. Isn’t it encouraging to know God can use even our weaknesses and failures when we trust Him to?
Blessings to you, this morning!
I am so glad you shared your findings, Joe. It is amazing to realize how God was working His purposes through Samson’s life. When we give Him all of us, He uses all things. Thank you so much for stopping & sharing! Blessings!
Good lessons here, Joanne. I often wonder about Samsonās parents. Iām sure he wasnāt an easy child to raise, but still. ha
āWe need one another to remain spiritually healthy.āĀ This point stands out to me the most. Thanks for sharing what youāre learning, proving that very point!
Parenting will always present its challenges. I wonder if any of us are easy to raise š
Hi Joanne, Samson’s story is deep. No matter how are anointed we are it is dangerous flirting with the enemy.
Thank you for sharing your reflections.
God Bless
Yes, Ifeoma, even the strongest can fall. Always nice to see your face here! Blessings!
It’s easy to think God can’t use me because of my failures, but Samson’s story reminds me of how God can use those failures and do something wonderful.
I especially like your first point about Manoah’s faith, how he recognizes the gift and asks in faith how to best raise the child.
You are right. Samson’s story truly does display how God redeems our failures & uses them for His purposes.
Samson’s story is a hard story for the parent in me. It is interesting that there’s a scripture that said God needed Samson to rebel – and that’s hard, too. Yet, in the end – He turns back to God – and fulfills his God-designed destiny. This is a story I’d love to talk about over coffee in a bible study with a group of moms!
I have found it to be a very hard story & yet learned so much. I am grateful our God does redeem our failures & uses them in ways beyond our understanding. And yes!!! I would love to talk this over a cup of coffee!
I love the story of Samson because of the way God pursues him. We named one of our cats Samson š
Kelly, we would be reminded so often of Bible Stories if we named our pets after them š