When we l
ook at many of the Old Testament Bible stories, we discover certain people who lived outstanding lives like Joseph and Esther. We find others who were known for their great faithfulness like Abraham, Moses, and Noah. Then there were those who were fearless witnesses like Daniel and Elijah. If ever there was a great man in the Old Testament who would fall into the category of famous might-have-beens, that man was Samson! With the special gifts he possessed, Samson could have been voted “Most Likely to Succeed,” but instead he earned “The Greatest Disappointment” award.
Let us travel back in time to a special day in the town of Gaza, where, in the midst of the city, stood a pagan temple dedicated to Dagon, the Philistine fish god. On this day there was hustle and bustle in the streets because this was a celebration for Dagon, who delivered the mighty Samson into Philistine hands.
Standing on the temple porch was Samson, a pathetic weakling who once had the strength to press city gates above his head and break chains of iron. There stood Samson, a man who once had the strength of a hundred men. But on this day we see only the abhorrent sight of a blind man with matted and tangled hair bound to the temple pillars. We see only a gaunt face wracked with weakness and despair. There in the enemy’s own city, stood the 14th judge of Israel, the Nazarite whose life was once dedicated to God.
What do you think was going through Samson’s mind? What was he thinking as he listened to the jeers, insults, and taunting? Likely his thoughts focused on one word: regret. No doubt he regretted abandoning the Lord. He regretted having played one too many games and having shared one too many riddles with the enemy. He regretted becoming involved with the wrong crowd. Perhaps he regretted most that once he had it all but now it was just a painful memory.
If we look into the pages of Scripture, we notice a turn of events in Samson’s life. When Samson was born, “The Spirit of the Lord began to stir in him” (13:25). When Samson met a hungry lion, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him” (14:6). When Samson=s wife was taken from him, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him” (14:19). When Samson was bound up in ropes, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him” (15:14).
Then a change occurred in Judges 16:20. Just after Samson’s hair was cut, “He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” What tragic words! The Spirit of the Lord was gone! Samson had pushed the line too far. He gambled and lost. It wasn’t until moments before his death that he once again returned to the Lord for strength. He prayed, “O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more” (16:28).
Here is laid out a clear blueprint of a person who tragically fell from the grace of God. Yet this scene is played out time and again in our day as well. Many Christians have fallen just like Samson. No one can boast that they are immune to the temptations that Samson embraced. We all share the same sinful nature. We have the same yearnings and the same urges. We all have gone through times when we wanted to see how far we could push the line.
This world has the power to entice us from the Spirit of the Lord, just as it did Samson. But God has promised us his strength and power to resist. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). If only Samson had looked to the Lord for true strength. That fountain flows for all who place their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.
Prayer thought: Pray that the Holy Spirit would fill your life with fruits of faith.
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