Every country has its own special forces and special agents. In India the special forces are called the Para and MARCOS. They are specially chosen and highly trained. They are tough, wild and strong.
Even in the bible we can see many special warriors. They were called the ‘Judges’. We see almost 14 judges in the Book of Judges and in I Samuel. One among them was Samson. He was a special agent of God. He was chosen to glow brighter for God. Judges 13-16 says about Samson. Samson’s start was an extraordinary one. He was blessed in many ways. Let’s see what were the privileges that were given to him.
1. Child of Promise His birth was foretold by an angel to his parents. He was a promised child.
2. A Nazarite He was set apart as for a nazarite vow right from his birth. He was called for a holy life.
3. Incredible Parents He had amazing parents. His father prayed to the Lord to give him the wisdom to grow Samson.
4. Empowered by the spirit In the old testament times, not all of them had the gift of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit will come in times of need on some appointed people. And Samson was one of them. He was filled with the Holy Spirit.
His beginning is awesome but his end was very tragic. He was a custom made ministry material. He had everything to be a minister of God. But he did not use the privileges given to him properly. In God’s deliverance story our heritage or background or accomplishments never is an excuse for personal compromises. Samson’s background was great, he had God fearing parents but that did not help him out. So what did he do with what he had?
-> He did whatever he wanted with the strength given by God. He misused it. -> He had strength so he started using it for his pleasure and for his personal life. -> Once when Philistines attacked him, he took a raw jaw bone, breaking the Nazarite law(since they are not allowed to touch anything that was dead) and killed 1000 Philistines. He could have done it with bare hands with the strength of the Lord.
The Aftermath
Judges 16:30
So the people whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed in his life.
Samson disobeyed God. Yes he misused his powers. He did not respect his parents. He followed his heart and gave in to the pleasures of the world. But his aftermath was more awesome.
It has been recorded that those who were killed during his death was more than the numbers he killed during his life. What did he do at that last hour? Did he lean on his own strength again? Did he say to himself that God wont come to his rescue? No!
Judges 16:28
Then Samson called to the Lord and said “Oh Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, Oh God, that i may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.”
He pleaded. He looked up to the heavens, where his help comes from. He cried out and called to the God of Israel for help. He knew that our God is a God of second chances. And the moment he called out, God answered and his strength came back and he smashed the pillars killing everyone in that place. He died along with them.
Lessons we learn from Samson’s Life.
*Use your talents for Christ.
*Never use them for your own glory, rather use it to honor Him.
*Walk according to God’s will.
*Recognize your calling and walk accordingly.
*Do not despise your calling.
*Even if you have failed, the Lord will not give up on you.
*Even if the righteous falls seven times, he will rise up.
-Nishi
Comments