PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Judges 13-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“His parents did not know that this was from the Lord…” (Judges 14:4)
Samson is a Nazirite, dedicated to the Lord from birth (13:5).
But he seems more dedicated to himself than to the Lord.
He is demanding, arrogant, violent and angry when thwarted.
What did the authors mean by the words ‘this was from the Lord’?
Did the Lord make him want this uncircumcised wife?
Did the Spirit of the Lord make him kill those men (14:19)?
The author does not make Samson look good in these stories.
Instead he shows how God keeps working even when his servants fail.
We can’t blame God for bad things that happen, or bad choices we make.
But we can see God at work through them, steering their results.
God steers our weakness and folly, to help us and save us.
God steers human actions to lead Jesus to the cross, to save us.
The Lord can use me despite my weakness and folly.
But he prefers to use my better qualities… will I steer toward these?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for using me, despite my weakness and folly. But I’d prefer to offer you my better qualities too. Help me to steer my life with you, not against you.
“He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” A special child was to be born to Manoah and his wife. She had observe restrictions in child bearing- because her baby boy would be a Nazirite – dedicated to the Lord in the womb. Seems like a type of Messiah. Samson was born and had tremendous power, in the spirit. Grasping the Lion or terrorizing 30 men to take their clothing. Samson had limitations and fell into temptation – lust – but God used it to mete terror on the Philistines that were ruling over Israel at the time. As a follower of Jesus I too am to be a Nazirite – dedicated to Jesus. Help me not to be enticed to wrong but be enticed to do good for the sake of the Kingdom!
Children are a gift from the Lord. They need to be raised fearing the Lord, serving Him with their lives. God uses His imperfect people His wonders to perform. Samson’s parents wanted heir son to marry within their people and not from the Philistines. God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform even today. I just need to serve Him in all I do and say. I need His Spirit to lead my life as I try to live for Him each day anew.
1 I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power
To help me over my weakest hour;
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Refrain:
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
2 Help me tread in the paths of righteousness;
Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress.
I am putting all my trust in Thee,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
3 I am lost, if you take your hand from me;
I am blind, without Thy Light to see;
Lord, just always let me Thy servant be,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]