Samson's Selfishness
Judges 14:1-4
With every opportunity comes a decision-God's will or your will.
Some of the most heroic stories in history are found in the Bible. How many people do you know in history who have parted a sea by raising their rod, stopped the mouths of lions, stepped out of a furnace without a scratched, walked on water, and survived being stoned? While we recognize that God empowered each of these people to accomplish these feats, yet they are great testaments to the power God gives to us human beings to glorify Him. One such man was Samson.
Perhaps the pinnacle of strength in the Bible, Samson has long been known as the Bible's strongest man. Even before birth, he was set apart for God's work. The angel of the Lord visited Samson's parents and revealed to them that they would bear a son and that he would be used to lead Israel. The angel warned them to keep Samson special by not giving him strong drink, allowing him to eat unclean food, and not cutting his hair. Samson was to be a Nazarite.
The Bible doesn't reveal much of his early life up to the point that he chose a wife for himself. As a strong man destined to be a ruler over Israel, he probably could have had his choice of Hebrew girls, yet he allowed his desires to move outside Israel and toward the pagan nation of Philista.
Samson's life was full of opportunity to do great things, but on many occasions, Samson chose to pursue selfish desires rather than follow God's plan. He allowed his fleshly desires to overrule his ability to serve God and lead the Israelites.
Often our flesh can override our desires to do good and we can find ourselves wasting opportunities to serve God. Samson was given abilities, talents, authority, respect from others, and a leadership role that put him in prime position to honor God yet he battled with following self.
Think about the fact that every time God gives you an opportunity to serve Him, you are also presented with the opportunity to choose fleshly desires over Him. When God asks you to witness to a specific person you can either honor and obey Him, or selfishly ignore them out of fear or busyness. When God tells you to move to another location to better serve Him, you can either honor and obey Him or reject His calling out of selfish comfort. When God gives you the opportunity to serve Him more in your local church, you can either honor and obey Him, or selfishly reject His calling. With every opportunity comes a decision-God or you.
Samson often chose self over God. Who will you choose? First, take time to thank God for trusting you with greater responsibility. Samson was so blessed to be called a judge of Israel. God has given you opportunity and influence to be used in honor of Him. Thank Him for that.
Second, choose to obey God's calling over your flesh's desires. Change is never easy nor is it always pleasant, yet following God's path will always lead to blessings. Choose to honor God by obeying His calling in your life.
Daily Bible Reading
Jeremiah 34-36 | Hebrews 2
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