“My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Dear Ones:
Why is the person of Samson mentioned in the Bible? Does God want us to be “like” him in the experience and use of his strength? The answer is “yes” and “no.” Samson was born for his time. His gifts and calling were specific to the need of the hour, for the Lord sought an occasion to manifest His power against the barbaric rule of the Philistines over Israel. As God calls us all by our individual names, so Samson’s name was associated with God’s specific call of him and the commitment and blessing applied to that calling. We are all different from Samson, and from one another, in that we are all given different callings and gifts, capacities to accomplish that calling. Samson’s experience teaches us certain principles and truths that show us how God IS an ever present strength where we live, in the present moment.
The first thing to see is that Samson was a Nazarite, a person who was set apart unto God, to be His servant. (Judges 13:7) Samson’s response was the wholehearted embracing of that specific calling. The Christian, or disciple of Christ, is one who has been set apart unto God, sanctified to God. The measure in which such a position of faith, will be the means of blessing and power, will depend upon the believer’s grasp of the truth, whereby he too sees that he or she IS the Lord’s, created, redeemed, and blessed to BE what God has called them to be…in Christ.
Secondly, Scripture tells us that, in the case of Samson, “…the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times.” (13:25) Samson learned that the key to his strength and power was the Spirit of God. We too must understand that, though God gives power, Christ IS our power. Why is this important? Because our power resides in a relationship with a Person. Christ never changes, being the constant source and provision of power. It is as we walk with Him, in faith, that He gives power and strength according to our calling and gifts, in the place where he has put us. He will be this to us. He will be our power in the measure that we need Him to be.
The third thing we need to see is that God WILL give power, when we walk with Him, in the light and in truth. Before Samson was betrayed by Delilah, and delivered over to the Philistines, he would “shake himself” when he arose, counting WHOLLY upon God for the power and strength for the moment. However, there would come a day, when through Samson’s carelessness, and being deceived, he would allow his attitude toward his consecration vow, to diminish in its importance. He would treat too lightly. The result will be that Delilah would learn his secret, luring him into a position of heart where the Lord would no longer bless him as He had before. Samson would rise, shake himself, but “the Lord had departed from him.”16:20) Though the Philistines would now be able to make Samson their slave, blinding him, and putting him into prison, God was still “with” him. Scripture tells us, that in his blindness, “…the hair of his head began to grow again.” (16:22) Samson’s uncut hair was the symbol of his attitude of heart. Slowly that attitude of the Nazarite returned to his heart, in his captivity. The day would come when he would call upon the Lord, to “…strengthen me, only this once.” (16:28) In that moment, God would answer Samson, giving him the strength of old. He would die that day, but he would kill more of the enemies of Israel than he had killed in his life. (v.30) God honors those that honor Him.
Dear Father, help us to realize the greatness of Thy calling and Thy provision for every need. Give us also to watch over our hearts so that they remain true to You, walking in the light, in truth, believing Thee for all the power and strength we need to honor and glorify Thee. We praise and thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad