Tuesday, August 27, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Heroes of the Bible Series

Day 6: Samson

Broken but Strong

2 Chronicles 15:7  But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

When my son is hurt, he cries briefly and then jumps up saying, "Okay, I'm not broken anymore." (Oh, the resilience of a toddler!)

Have you instead ever felt broken...so broken that you don't even see a way up...or out?

We can all learn (good and bad) from the life of Samson. Even in his brokenness, he exhibited supernatural strength.

Many may not view Samson as a hero...highlighting his sinful actions of lust and pride instead. Nevertheless, his resilience and ability to push beyond his shortcomings are the reasons I believe he ended his life in a heroic way.

Samson was granted supernatural strength by God in order to combat his enemies. He was so strong that he killed a lion with his bare hands and slayed an army of 1000 with only a donkey's jawbone.

In order to maintain this power, Samson vowed to God to NEVER cut his hair. However, Samson revealed the secret to his God-given strength to an untrustworthy, scheming woman. Consequently, his enemies - the Philistines - shaved his hair off rendering him powerless. They then gouged out his eyes and set him to grinding grain in the prison.

Little did they know, as Samson's hair began to grow back, he got STRONGER.

At their "victory party," the Philistines brought out Samson as entertainment. By his request, Samson was placed against the temple pillars for support. Empowered by God one last time, Samson pushed down those supporting pillars collapsing the entire structure upon himself and all his enemies under it. Samson defeated more Philistines in his death than in his entire life.

In this Bible account, Samson (once a very strong man) was reduced to a blind, broken mockery. BUT even in his broken state, he pressed to defeat the enemy.

We can all relate to Samson's life on some level. God has gifted all of us in specific areas to be very strong, but we also all have weaknesses.

These weaknesses cannot become an excuse to live a life of compromise. In addition, we cannot allow past mistakes or our current conditions to paralyze us from being used by God.

I challenge you today to focus on your strength in Him. You may feel weak... like all power has been drained from you...but know that your "hair is growing back." As you draw closer to Him, you will become stronger and more able to defeat your enemies.

Dear Lord, Forgive me for past mistakes or for limiting what You can do through my life because of my current condition. Make me strong in YOU!