Samson's Strength

We all know the story of Samson, who had great strength. He was so powerful that he easily killed thirty men with a jaw bone, just to pay off a bet. This one short story gives us a good summary of Samson as a person: he was strong in body, but weak in good judgment and in the spirit.

Judges 13:24

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.

Samson is just one of many biblical examples of gifted failures in the history of Israel. David, the famed king of Israel, had looks, charm, faith and leadership on his side. Yet the law of chastity was his down-fall, followed by murder. Saul was tall and commanding. But the fear of men and what they thought, along with jealousy, tore all he had from him. Solomon was very wise. But for all his wisdom, he foolishly married into pagan religions and allowed forbidden rituals to be introduced in his own home.

All four of these Bible characters had a weakness in their inner personality. The Lord seems to give gifts not just to bless, but to test. Can this child withstand beauty? What about creativity, or athleticism? If he speaks in persuasive prose, will he lead men to God? There are so many gifts to give. Each one has its blessings and each has its curses.

In Samson’s case, he had the gift of physical strength. Had he learned how to master it, he could have become a power to stop the Philistines, who were enslaving Israel at the time. His power and self-confidence would have been a key to freeing his people from these tyrants.

However, he grew up with indulging parents that gave him everything he asked for, no matter how outlandish the request. Thus, he had learned that he could get what he wanted when he wanted it. His first bad choice in the story was his desire for a Philistine girl to be his wife. It was forbidden by God, yet he did not care for God’s commandments, only for his own passions.

Then he tried to get some new clothes by betting a group of Philistines that they could not guess a riddle that he made up. That ended in his wife telling them the answer, and Samson losing the bet. He killed thirty men for their clothes to pay off the debt. When you associate with unsavory characters, you lower your standards and end up just as bad as they are. Once again, instead of using his talents for the good of others, he spent his time and efforts in attempting to prosper in the world of wealth.

His focus was on how he could get more out of life. This caused him grief and heartache. He ended up losing his wife over the riddle incident, so he went to town to find some solace. He found it in a woman named Delilah. She was his final undoing by tricking him into telling her what gave him his great strength, his long head of hair, never cut from birth. She had it shaved while he slept, and when he woke, his strength was gone. He lost his one great gift, only because he misused it by living a self-indulgent lifestyle that ended in his ruin.

When we make life’s choices based on our own wants and ignore the wisdom of God, we put ourselves at great eternal risk. What we want and what we need are usually two different things. In this life, it is our challenge to determine the difference between the two. Satan desires us to depend on the wants. He flatters us, tempts us, and tries to convince us that wants are really needs. This is bad enough for the normal people with average gifts and talents, but it is amplified for the children of God who have extraordinary gifts. Pick any evil influence in history, and imagine how much good that person could have done if he followed the words of Christ.

When we have completely turned our back on the Father, Delilah shows up, and we are left with nothing. All that we assumed would see us to a life of happiness disappears, and all that the Father had promised us before is forgotten. We are left alone and discouraged.

During Samson’s final days, in his weakened state, he was overtaken by the angry Philistines, who blinded him and placed him in prison. There he stayed, each day his hair growing a little more, until a day of feast. To entertain themselves, the Philistines released the blind would-be-hero from his cell and brought him into a building where they could make fun of him. He stood between two central columns and with all his strength pushed them apart, until the house collapsed, killing all the guests and Samson as well.

Samson got his vengeance, but what an empty victory it was. Blessed by his Father for a mission of single greatness, he settled for a moment of revenge. His name goes down in infamy, but it is a sad tale with no winners but the evil one. To Satan, this was a great victory indeed.

Sing Your Praise

In the end zone, on his knees

The young man points to God

He says all honor goes to Him

Extols all praise and laud

While fans shout and applaud

In the bar room, on a stool

The same man drinks his glass

He prides himself for all he’s done

Both present and in past

Then eyes a pretty lass

When given gifts, it’s always wise

To tout the giver’s name

For grace has shown us favor

Ingratitude is shame

And clearly we’re to blame

But gratitude is more than words

Our actions mirror the heart

Each thought, each glance, each slip of tongue

Displays the inner part

Who we were from the start

Whether on the field or on the stand

Enjoying your glory days

If you’ve pleased God, not your foolish pride

It will clear the darkened haze

Letting angels sing your praise