Scripture: Judges 13-16
It’s about time I post on this blog! Some of you have mentioned that I haven’t written lately. I miss writing posts! Unfortunately, my new homeschooling schedule leaves precious little time (or mental energy!) to write. However, I plan to start posting more often.
Another reason I haven’t written lately is that my Bible reading has been leaving me with more questions than answers. Do you ever find that to be true?
Take the story of Samson for instance. I don’t get it! This man is supposed to be a judge for Israel, yet his life leaves a lot to be desired.
For starters, he definitely has a weakness for the wrong women. Samson was attracted to a Philistine (a tribe who oppressed the Israelites for forty years). Samson was determined to marry this woman and told His dad, “I want to marry her. Get her for me.” In other words, I want what I want and I want it now!
In a strange turn of events soon after they were married, Samson left his wife and went back to live with his father and mother. Later, when he decided he wanted her back, he found out she was given in marriage to the best man at his wedding. Then Samson did what any rational man would do in this situation – he tied torches on the tails of 300 foxes and burned down grain fields that belonged to the Philistines.
Of course the Philistines came after Samson, looking for revenge. Scripture says the Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson and he used the jawbone of a donkey to kill 1,000 Philistines. Then he boasted about it. The following Scripture says that Samson spent a night in the town of Gaza and slept with a prostitute.
As I’m reading these chapters in Judges, my finite mind is trying to reconcile the fact that Samson is a judge - and womanizer. He’s a Nazirite (he took a vow to be set apart for God's service) who's filled with rage and anger. Can you see why I have more questions than answers?
The beginning of the end for Samson is when he falls in love with a woman named Delilah. I guess you could say that she was the death of him. But even in his death, God used Samson for His purposes.
My pea-sized brain is trying to understand the mind of God and I’m coming up short – go figure! What I’m realizing through the life of Samson is that God can use anyone He pleases to accomplish His purposes. Who am I to question that fact?
Prayer: God, Your ways are not my ways and Your thoughts are not my thoughts. I acknowledge that You have plans to use us for Your glory despite our faults. Please take my failures and my weak areas and use them for Your glory. I am humbled that You love me and have a purpose for my life.
