MORNING MANNA 5-28-21
SAMSON
“Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee” – Judges 16:28
What an embarrassing scene. What a shameful spectacle.
Samson, who had been judge over Israel for twenty years, had been blessed with supernatural strength, had in one day killed a thousand Philistines with nothing but a bone in his hand — this same Samson now stands in the stadium of the Philistines, being made sport of and being himself the occasion for thanksgiving to their pagan gods.
And the worst of it all is this: he is there because of his own sin, his own foolishness. Because he wouldn’t say no to the temptress Delilah, he had been caught unawares, defenseless, and helpless. His eyes have been put out because he was too blind to see how dangerous sin is.
Why then would anyone use Samson as an example of faith? Shouldn’t he be an example of how to throw away everything that God has given you and make a royal mess of your life over and over again? Well, yes, he is that too.
But Samson is also an example of true, God-honoring, world-overcoming faith. God himself mentions his name among the select few that are included in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11. And why is he mentioned? Because, through faith, Samson “out of weakness was made strong” (Hebrews 11:32, 34).
Even after all his failures, all his shameful conduct, all his detestable sins Samson had faith to come to God again and pray for forgiveness and healing. Imagine the nerve! And yet God commends him for his faith. In fact, that kind of faith is mentioned as one of the most courageous and admirable to be found.
Believer, if you have made a mess of your life, follow Samson’s faith and turn to God. He will hear you, He will heal you. ( Baptist Bible Hour)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
