Grace to Grow in God's Glory

Samson was the seventh judge, and ruled his people for 20 years, from 2811-2831 (951-931 BCE).
The mighty Samson was a judge who led and rescued the people of Israel from Philistine oppression. Samson had an enviable strength divinely endowed to him.
Which aided him in the fight against the Philistines occupying the land of Israel.

Personally, I find the story of Samson very interesting to kick-start the new week and thought I should share...

Heard the prayers or wishes that says:

From Strength to strength

Or

From grass to grace

The reverse was seen in Samson. He went totally opposite...
Why?

He let the glory of God depart from him.

Source: Pixabay

Samson, a Nazirite man, was blessed by God. He got attracted to a Woman in Timnah whom he wanted to marry. The marriage was led to a betrayal and anguish in the life of Samson.

A man blessed by God with an uncommon strength who later became a leader of Israel. He met Delilah who was used as a bait by the Philistine Kings to betray Samson again. They wanted to know the secret source of his strength and Delilah was made to manipulate Samson into telling her that his strength came from his hair. She arranged and had it cut.

Although several attempts to get him arrested by her folks failed, she persisted. Ordinarily, Samson should have understood the point she was driving at by insisting on where lies his strength but sadly, he was deceived eventually.

Samson lost his strength as a punishment was jailed and blinded by the Philistines. During a celebration of their god, 'dagon', they planned for Samson to entertain them. Samson told the boy leading him to take him to the columns.

He prayed that God would return his strength. God heard his prayer and granted him strength. Samson toppled the columns killing himself and the Philistines who were there.
God's mercy was still evident in Samson.

What a merciful God we serve.

Judges 16:6

So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”

Source: Pixabay

Judges 16:1-2

One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.
2 The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.”

Lessons learnt

Although the story ends sadly with Samson’s death. Notwithstanding, there are lessons derivable from the story.

1 We should not abuse any gifts God has given us.

God gifted Samson with incredible strength that is so rare and exceptional at the time even in our time. Who dares kills a Lion with bare hands?

Samson did!

He abused the supremacy he had bestowed on him in strength rather than bring the glory of God to the fore, he just showed off his prowess.
He learns the hard way that the Lord can give and take away gifts in a moment’s notice.

2 Sin leads to consequences.

Samson didn’t see the immediate payout for some of his sin until much later. Repercussions from our sins tend to catch us at the worst moments of life. Same was applicable to Samson. He made so many mistakes revealing everything to Delilah.
We will encounter many Delilah’s in this world who will try to find our greatest weakness and exploit it.

3 Even at our lowest, God can still use us.

Deprived of all strength and humiliated beyond his thoughts or imaginations, God returns Samson from strength to weakness. He became so feeble...
Although, he killed more Philistine during his dying moment than his very active days. That's a show of God's mercy.

Divine mercy it is...

God bless you all