RECOGNIZING OUR WEAKNESS
Judges 16:28-31
V. 28: “Then Sampson prayed to the Lord, ‘O Sovereign Lord, remember me, O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.’”
Sampson—once a tower of strength—forgot Whose he was, and became comfortable in his sin. The book of Judges in the Bible is where we learn about Sampson, beginning in chapter 13. Once more, the Israelites had done evil in the eyes of the Lord. Their punishment was to be ruled by the Philistines for 40 years. Then Sampson was born.
The angel of the Lord came to the wife of Manoah, who was from the tribe of Dan. The angel said to her in verses 3-5: “You are sterile, and childless, but you will conceive and have a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean, because you will conceive and give birth to a son. No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
This pledge for Sampson was not voluntary, and applied for his whole life. Sampson grew up as a loner, whose deeds involved single-handed victories over powerful enemies. He typified the nation of Israel: Just like Isaac, he was born of special divine provision. He was set apart for the Lord from birth, as was Samuel. Samson was specially gifted by God’s Spirit with distinctive powers to overcome Israel’s enemies.
His weakness? Sampson couldn’t stay away from Philistine women—which led to his destruction.
The opening Scripture is Sampson’s cry for help. After he became a feared warrior, he wooed a beautiful Philistine woman (Delilah). He told her the secret for his strength. When he was asleep, she had his head shaved (Judges 16:19). In his weakness, he was overcome by his enemies, who gouged out his eyes. In prison, he worked a grinding mill. He was only called out to entertain a crowd of people.
How humiliating!
When we’re challenged by sinful temptations, our best defense is to cry out to God for help. The Holy Spirit protects, strengthens, and guides us—but only when we cooperate with Him.
Take Home Nugget
Three simple steps will enable people to overcome trouble: Ask God to keep you alert to danger. Confess your sins to God. Ask God for help. God is only a prayer away! Won’t you allow Him to keep you safe, and lead you to victory?
When your world is crumbling, the rock of God is where you can stand.
J.D. Griffith
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment