How Far to Surrender?
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20
Why is it when someone tells me not to do something I have to fight the urge to go the other way and do my own thing? Chalk it up to my mulish nature. Samson, the strongest man to ever live, was no better.
His parents warned him about marrying a Philistine. But did he listen? Most of us have heard about Delilah's deception, but she was his second mistake. His first wife was a Philistine too. After a little dispute over a riddle, he slaughtered 30 guests at their wedding rehearsal dinner. Needless to say, she left. Even the enemy has brains.
In revenge to the Philistines, Samson tied 300 foxes together tail-to-tail and lit them on fire. He was quite the artistic arsonist. When the Philistines confronted him, he singlehandedly killed 1000 men in one fight. This dude had some serious anger issues. If he lived today, I'm sure he would be behind bars.
Samson's strength was a gift from God to deliver the Israelites. Instead, he wasted his strength on selfish ambition. He didn't do so well with the ladies either.
Samson's second lady was a back stabber. Delilah taunted and haunted her beefy beau, "Darling, please tell me the secret of your strength." He knew it wasn't because he went to the gym every day. Samson understood this secret. His mother told him. "Samson, you are set apart. No razor is ever to be used on your head."
But Samson didn't cherish the secret. In a moment of weakness, his personal passion overpowered him. He exposed it to the enemy and Disloyal Delilah betrayed her handsome honey. The Philistines gouged his eyes out, bound him in shackles and made him grind grain. Serving a life sentence as a slave in a maximum security prison-not exactly how Samson thought his life would turn out. Hmm. The mighty warrior...reduced to a living trophy for the Philistines.
For twenty years, Samson led Israel. For twenty years, he relied on his own strength. Even though he was set apart by God from birth to deliver Israel, he didn't tap into the strength of God until the end of his life. It wasn't until Samson lost everything that he looked to God. Ironically, his eyes were scratched out but he could see finally see.
In one closing blow, when his strength was combined with the power of God, the book of Judges says that Samson killed more enemies the day that he died than the entire time that he lived. Unfortunately, his greatest victory took him to his grave. Samson's ultimate surrender cost him his life.
Samson's greatest strength was not really his physical strength-it was self-reliance. As long as he was strong, he didn't need to ask God for help. He was capable of handling things on his own.
Sometimes, I'm no different. I may not have huge muscles, but I possess strengths given to me by God. I have also been set apart from birth but if I take confidence in these gifts without realizing where they come from, I can be just like Samson. Samson didn't turn to God until he ran out of self.
This story reminds me of the lyrics to Fine, a song by James Reunion. You've never really stood, until the weight has pushed you over. I have to wonder, how much weight does it take to knock me over? How much power does it take to move Christy out of the way? How far is it to surrender? Honestly, it depends on how much self-reliance stands in between me and God. God waits patiently for me to surrender my will to him but he can accomplish his purpose with an avalanche or a feather. Too bad Samson didn't understand this secret. Instead, his life song bellows a warning to the rest of us: Be careful-your greatest strength can be your greatest weakness.
Prayer: Father, help me to rely on Your strength. May I never forget that my strength comes from You. Please help me recognize when I try to take control of what You have given to me. I want to surrender to You and Your will for my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Thoughts to ponder:
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What strengths has God endowed you with?
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Have you surrendered your strengths to God or are you like Samson, still controlling your life with your own power?
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When you find yourself grasping for control, what things, events or fears hold you back from surrender?
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God can accomplish his purpose with an avalanche or a feather. What do you think it takes to make you surrender to His will?
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How would you describe your journey to surrender?
a) A non-stop flight. I've learned from previous mistakes. I don't like travel delays.
b) A slow train ride. It may take awhile, but I'll get there...eventually.
c) I'm still traveling by mule. I'm as stubborn as my ride. I feel like I'll never get there.
Scriptures to consider:
What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider's web. Job 8:14 KJV
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...
Isaiah 30:15 KJV
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7
The story of Samson is found in the book of Judges, chapters 13-16.
© Christy Johnson 2008, All Rights Reserved
www.christyjohnson.org
