Nothing Worse Than A Lot Of Potential

Nothing Worse Than A Lot Of Potential Read Judges 13:1 – 16:31 Ron Mathieu

At least that’s what Charlie Brown always says, and it’s a fitting lament for Samson in this story from the Book of Judges. It’s a story of how sinful choices can mess up even the most anointed life, but also one that teaches how God does not give up on us if we place our reliance in Him. Samson was a child of promise; born to a barren woman. He was blessed with amazing human traits, but was also set aside as a Nazirite; ordained and consecrated for God’s special purpose. His parents raised him carefully, in strict accordance with the law, and they lived to see their son perform marvelous deeds. But like so many parents of privileged children, they also were pained to see him make sinful choices. Amidst his formidable gifts and noteworthy feats, Samson had a fatal flaw when it came to women; one that eventually led to his total downfall. A more serious flaw was his belief that his strength was human rather than God-given. He became so successful in his exploits, so self-confident in his own strength, that he did not realize when God had departed from him. The result was the loss of everything he had, humiliation beyond that normally experienced even by slaves, and loss of his ability to see. Yet in this depth of humiliation and suffering, his hair started to grow again; symbolic of God’s faithfulness as Samson turned back to God. He prayed with total repentance, and in a final self-sacrificing act demonstrated that the God of the Israelites was more powerful than other gods. In the final analysis, Samson redeemed himself by relying on God’s strength rather than his own. Even so, he fell very short of what he might have been.

P r ay e r Lord, we confess that we often turn from Your direction toward self-fulfilling and even selfdestructive choices. Help us to listen for the purpose You have for our lives, and fortify us with strength of character to avoid the decisions that turn our backs on Your blessings. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

DAY 29 Questions What was God’s hope for Samson’s life? What got in the way?

Samson is one of the strongest men in the Bible. He was also one of the weakest. What are we to make of this contradiction?

What do you think was the reason Samson revealed the secret of his strength to Delilah?

Despite his flaws, Samson is obviously someone special. In what ways might he have been seen as a messiah?

MY Reflections Does any particular verse (SCRIPTURE) in today’s reading speak to you?

OBSERVE what this verse is saying to you:

How can you APPLY this verse to your life today?

My PRAYER for today is: