Where Does Your Strength Lie?

Anyone familiar with the account of Samson’s life will see that he was physically very strong, but of weak character. That flaw brought him to a place of becoming sport for the Enemy. His weakness, a desire for women, took him outside of God’s permitted covenant. Because he chose rather in indulge in his own passions; hedonism cost him dearly — betrayal, mocking, suffering and death were the results of his choices.

“Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand. And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison-house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.” Judges 16:23, 25 KJV.

Lust and Pride
Let’s look at his life for a moment. The scripture tells us in Judges Chapters 13-16 the account of his conception announced by the angel of the Lord, up through his death under the rubble as he pulled down the pillars of the house of the Philistines. It displays for us a man who was given over to the desires of his flesh and involved himself with women he had no business marrying, nor toying with. Delilah, his infamous wife, ultimately was able to discover where his strength lay. After much prodding and testing, she was given the secret to God’s power in his life. The enemy works like that; Satan is relentless in pursing people to “…steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10).

What about you? Have you traded God’s secrets with the world? Are the words and insights God bestowed upon you at some point in your life still precious? Or have they become common, even to be mocked at? Has the name of God become vain for you, using it other than in reverence or praise? Are you playing games with your desires? Look around, you too will find yourself ultimately used as sport for the enemy’s camp.

What Happened?

It can be hard to understand how someone who once loved God can become someone who ends up mocking Him. It all happens so incrementally, many do not realize they are being lured into a trap. As Samson lay on Delilah’s lap, his strength was taken from him. He put himself in a place of being worn down and finally gave up and gave away the precious gift of God he received as a child. This scenario is being repeated by many who have been entrusted with gifts by God, yet are taken captive by the snare of Satan. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26.

In the book of second Timothy, Paul, as mentor to young Timothy, gives guidance on how to instruct those who oppose themselves and end up ruining their lives. He begins Chapter 3 by telling him what the landscape will look like. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

You may be frustrated with what you see happening around you. I’d like to encourage you to believe that God is just and He is faithful to speak to those going astray. Yet, He will not violate their free-will. So you must pray. You can be assured He is at work in the midst of poor choices.

Humble Yourself
Will you trust our Heavenly Father who knows all? Pray, and live your life fully for God. He will show you when there is opportunity to speak the truth in love to those headed for destruction (Ephesians 4:15). The Holy Spirit will tell you when to hold your peace and allow consequences to do the speaking. Remember our love is naturally limited, but God’s is abundant! He is at work continually, drawing people unto Himself.

Samson is a good example of a young man with great purpose and destiny; yet his choices side-tracked him. In the end God used him, but the testimony of a life well-lived for God’s glory was absent. Don’t come up short, living for yourself, rather live for God’s glory and at the end many will see and know that you chose His life over your own pleasures. And the rewards you’ll receive will be manifold on earth and in Heaven.

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