Judges 16:29-30 Then Samson reached out to the two central pillars that held up the building and pushed against them, one with his right arm, the other with his left. Saying, “Let me die with the Philistines,” Samson pushed hard with all his might. The building crashed on the tyrants and all the people in it. He killed more people in his death than he had killed in his life.

Samson fascinated me as a child. Actually, he still does. I had this picture of him in my head — a man who could not be broken. I felt very sorry for him that he was seduced by a woman and because of that lost his strength and everything that went with it.

But Samson was not an obedient boy. He used his calling and his strength for his own purposes instead of to achieve God’s purpose with it. His strength was to save Israel, but Samson often used it to fulfil his own desires and for revenge.

He chased Philistine women, made impulsive decisions, and when he got hurt, he fought back in anger. His gift became a toy for his emotions. He flirted with temptations and pushed the boundaries too far.

With Delilah he toyed with the truth and lied three times. He danced with danger, which unfortunately overcame him and he lost his strength, his gift, his freedom and his eyes. He becomes the laughingstock of society.

Don’t get too comfortable, Samson teaches us. Don’t waste your gifts and use them for your own gain. Don’t play on the devil’s porch, it’s very slippery. Don’t take over the wheel of your own life. It’s self-destructive.

And yet, after everything the strong man had done and choosing against God so many times, God’s grace broke through and He gave Samson his strength back. God didn’t give him what he deserved, no, God’s heart saves.

Unfortunately, it must also be said that grace does not cancel out your deeds. Samson got his strength back, but not his eyes. He also lost his life. However, God is bigger than our broken world. Even in Samson’s last chapter, God’s purpose was achieved. It will be in yours too.

Prayer
Father, thank you for Your grace that breaks through my wrong choices and deeds. May I make more right choices, so that I can lice right in Your eyes …

Questions
Where might I be playing too close to temptation?
Am I using my gifts for God’s glory or for myself?
What small choices am I making today that could catch up with me later?

Do this now
Identify one specific temptation or weak spot in your life today and decide in advance how you will avoid it.
Put a practical boundary in place, such as avoiding a certain place, person, or habit that causes you to stumble.
Choose one right, obedient decision today, even if it feels insignificant, and do it intentionally.