Listening to the sermon yesterday, the Spirit of God brought something to mind that I want to share with you this morning. The sermon was from Judges 14-16, Samson’s life. There were three vows of the Nazarite – not to cut their hair – not to drink strong drink – and not to touch anything that was unclean. Samson managed to break all three of those vows. While reading Judges, it is easy to sit in judgement (pun intended). We are tempted to think, “They really messed up. That would never be me!” But most likely it is, or was or will be.
Let’s think about the parallels between Samson and me and you.
Samson was set apart from birth – actually while in his mother’s womb – actually before that – in the mind of God. Hard to imagine isn’t it. This is what the Apostle Paul said of himself.
“But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles” – Galatians 1:15-16
The same can be said of us.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Being set apart – there is an expectation that we would be separate from the secular culture that lives all around us. We are a chosen people – a holy nation – children of the Light. But, like Samson, although empowered by the Spirit of God, we lose our awareness of the presence of God. We find ourselves living like the culture we have been called out of and not in the manner that we have been called to. Samson was so self-aware. Focused on using what God had given him for himself – for his benefit – to satisfy his lusts. The Lord has cautioned us about the temptation to go the same way in the parable of the seed. These are not just interesting stories, they were inspired for our benefit so we might know the way that is right and the perils of our temptation to follow after our old nature. Just like Samson.
“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” – Mark 4:18-20
Samson was self-focused and did what was right in his own sight and missed God! We are faced with that danger ever day. Not trusting in God but in ourselves. How do we avoid it? You need the strength of Samson. How do you get it? Not by letting your hair grow long. The Philistines wanted to know the secret to Samson’s strength. It was actually the same as the secret to the strength you need to live your new life.
“Not by strength [our own] not by power [our own], but by My Spirit. Says the Lord God of Hosts.” – Zechariah 4:6
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
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