Like Any Other Man
Samson's story is complicated in some ways, but very simple in others. He had supernatural strength, as long as he kept his Nazarite vow to the lord. He did not drink wine or eat unclean foods. He did not shave any hair of his head. He must have been a very hairy man, huh? However, he was blessed by the Spirit of God to have more strength than any other person. When he told his heart, and Delilah cut his hair, he became weak like any other man.(Judges 16:17)
The meaning of this story is that we are all weak without God. Our only strength comes from trusting Him and obeying Him, so that He blesses us with His power through His Spirit. We fool ourselves when we think we can do anything on our own. We need to always remember that without God we are like any other person, hopeless and weak.
God was faithful to Samson to give him great strength, even though he pursued pagan women. He even used that weakness to bring pain on the Philistines. I see this as evidence of God's grace and mercy. We do not have to be perfect for God to bless us and use us. However, once we break a vow or act in direct disobedience, He has to take swift action to punish us. That is what He did to Samson, and that is what He will always do for us.
The only way to rise above the weakness of being "like any other man" is to know Him and to obey His commands. Then, the Spirit will empower us and lead us to accomplish God's will in His strength. Therefore, Samson is a lesson to all of us. We can all be strong in the Lord, or we can be just like any other man.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 17-19.
The meaning of this story is that we are all weak without God. Our only strength comes from trusting Him and obeying Him, so that He blesses us with His power through His Spirit. We fool ourselves when we think we can do anything on our own. We need to always remember that without God we are like any other person, hopeless and weak.
God was faithful to Samson to give him great strength, even though he pursued pagan women. He even used that weakness to bring pain on the Philistines. I see this as evidence of God's grace and mercy. We do not have to be perfect for God to bless us and use us. However, once we break a vow or act in direct disobedience, He has to take swift action to punish us. That is what He did to Samson, and that is what He will always do for us.
The only way to rise above the weakness of being "like any other man" is to know Him and to obey His commands. Then, the Spirit will empower us and lead us to accomplish God's will in His strength. Therefore, Samson is a lesson to all of us. We can all be strong in the Lord, or we can be just like any other man.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 17-19.