SCRIPTURE: Judges 14
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) [Judges 14:3-4] This passage exposes the sinful character of Samson: desiring a Philistine wife, contact with the carcass of dead lion, drinking at the wedding feast (the word for feast is literally “place of drinking”), murdering the 30 Philistines for their clothes – all contrary to his Nazirite vow. But what is really interesting here is that the Lord uses Samson’s flaws to provoke the Philistines, to set Israel free. God uses Samson’s sin to accomplish His purpose!!! Is he then responsible for his actions?
‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said. ‘Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’ Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’ [John 19:10-11] Jesus points out that His arrest and impending crucifixion were made possible by God, He gave Pilate and Judas the power to do what they did. But they are still responsible for their actions – Judas more than Pilate. Is this fair??? How can God blame them if He ‘willed’ them to do it? Who can resist God?
It seems to me that God uses our sinful nature and choices for His purpose; He doesn’t make us do something against our will, but directs our sin (which we do for selfish reasons) for His eternal purposes. Samson was driven by lust, Judas by greed and Pilate by pride – God did not make them that way.
I make foolish choices everyday. I am often selfish, lustful, greedy, proud. I can’t blame God for this, its my nature, my choice. But thank God His grace is greater than my sin. God uses my weakness, directing my sin towards His good purpose: restoring His creation, rescuing His children, overcoming sin and defeating the devil. Through Judas’ and Pilate’s sin, God gets the victory through the cross and resurrection!
This passage leads me to explain, “amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” Amazing mercy, that He does not treat us as our sins deserve. This passage does not lead me to sin, so that God can use it. No way, sin is bad, hateful, hurtful, I must run away from it! But when I do sin, I know that God can use even my failures to bring about a good end.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for overcoming my sin with Your goodness!