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Intention

To be confident that God’s strength is more than enough to cover our weakness.

Scripture

“3,000 men of Judah went down to get Samson.

“‘We will only tie you up and hand you over to the Philistines’, they replied. ‘We won’t kill you.’

“So they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock.

“As Samson arrived at Lehi, the Philistines came shouting in triumph.

“But the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Samson, and he snapped the ropes on his arms as if they were burnt strands of flax, and they fell from his wrists. Then he found the jawbone of a recently killed donkey. He picked it up and killed 1,000 Philistines with it.”

– Judges 15:11, 13–15

Reflection

A delegation of 3,000 men from Judah came to tie up one man: Samson. Three thousand! That should have been more than enough. And yet, they asked for his permission.

Who is this man?

Soon after, 1,000 Philistines lay dead.

Surely, after 10, or 50, or 100, someone might’ve said, “This is really a bad idea.” Especially considering Samson’s previous encounters.

So why, why, why did they keep attacking him, despite mounting evidence that destruction awaited?

I suggest it’s because Samson looked impossibly weak. Judges 16:5 says, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength.”

If he were impressively huge and muscular – as he is usually depicted – there would be no secret.

Hebrews 11:34 gives us another clue. Speaking of the heroes of faith, it says, “… whose weakness was turned to strength.”

I believe those 1,000 Philistines must have convinced themselves, saying, “There’s no way this guy can beat us.”

Scripture doesn’t say Samson had to chase anyone down. It seems they just kept coming – perhaps one at a time, or in small groups – because they thought: “This guy? He’s a weakling. We can’t lose.”

Samson’s poem in Judges 15:16 hints that he heaped the bodies up. If each man weighed only 50 kg, that’s a 50-tonne pile of vanquished enemy. The empowerment that God’s Holy Spirit can give is astonishing.

When we look into the spiritual mirror and all we see is inadequacy and our accuser whispers, “You’re a sinful weakling” – that is often when God chooses to use us most powerfully.

Hallelujah! The blood of Jesus prevails.

And the Holy Spirit gives us the grace to do the “good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

“The Spirit of the Lord came upon him” to empower Samson in the time of battle. We can also be confident that the same Lord will empower us when we are contending for souls and sharing God’s good news.

May God be pleased to bless each of us in our daily efforts to bring order to chaos, and glorify our Father. As Paul wrote: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).

When we speak about the hope within us, let’s remember: Those who don’t yet know Jesus are not our enemies.

They are future soldiers in God’s mighty army, the Church.

Together, as His body, we can push back the frontiers of darkness and decay.

Video

Prayer

Thank You, Lord for Your mercy to me. Pour out Your grace that I may fulfil the high calling that You won for me at Calvary.

Help me seek You for Your strength, at all times, all for Your glory.

Amen.

Author Bio

Chris is married to Gai. They have four wonderful adult children and four delightful grandchildren, with another on the way.

Chris’ professional career began as a PE teacher. He then worked with Scripture Union before returning to the NSW Education Department, where he teaches in the School Swimming and Water Safety program.

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