The Saga of Samson

Reading: Judges15 - 21
My Verse:  "And he came up and told his father and mother, I saw one of the Daughters of the Philistines at Timnah;  now get her for me as my wife" (14:2).

Samson's story is so tragic.  He was such an impulsive, demanding man.  When he saw something he wanted, he demanded or simply took it - even when advised against it, even when it was against Your precepts, LORD God.  This story is so relevant to us today. It reflects the predominant thought of the day.  Society teaches us to appease our selfish desires, without regard to You.  We are to do whatever keeps us happy, or what we think will keep us happy.

He, Samson, saw this Philistine woman and wanted her.  His parents pleaded with him to not take this woman as she was not the best for him, but Samson persisted.  He did end up marrying her but it all ended very badly.  She betrayed him and married  his best friend.

Samson then decided that he loved Delilah, also a Philistine.  She, too,  betrayed Samson, not just once but many times and yet he stayed with her until she persuaded him to tell her the secret to his great strength.  She passed this on to the Philistine leaders.  They had his eyes taken out and made him a slave.

In the end Samson killed many of the Philistines in one last great effort but died himself in that event.

I never liked this story, because it seemed to me that Samson had no common sense.  And yet, here it is in the Bible.  Everything in the  Bible is there for my edification.  So what do I take away from this story, LORD God?  What I am to learn from it that helps me in my walk with you today?

I have been trying to see your hand in the daily events of my day.  This is often hard and confusing because I see so many things that should not be, at least from my point of view.  I know I need to get away from that.  I need to focus on You.  I need to focus on the fact of Your goodness.  We are wayward.  We do things against Your precepts, and more often than not make a great mess as Samson did. And yet You are at work in our lives.  If we will allow it, You will make things aright, even when it seems impossible.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

How I need to remember this not just for my own life but for those around me.  If someone belongs to You, LORD God, no matter how they mess up You will redeem them.  Thank You for this story of Samson.  Help me to always look to your goodness.  Help me to always remember that You have a grand purpose and I need to entrust myself and my loved ones to that grand purpose.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!