Sat, Jul 25, 2009
Second Best?
An interesting discussion took place on the life of Samson. From birth we see that he had a specific calling which was to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. With this calling came some restrictions, or I should say, order as to how Samson was supposed to live his life i.e not drinking wine, cut his hair, etc etc. He was called to be set apart for the work that God has called him to.
But as we progress through the chapters, we see that one by one, Samson did not do what he was supposed to, knowing that he should not do those things. We know that he had knowledge of what he ought to and not to do because in the scriptures it says that "the child grew up and the LORD blessed him" 13:24. Now in old testament times, we know that the law was extremely important and we know this because all throughout the scriptures we see the blessings that take place from obeying the law of God.
So what's the purpose of all of this? Well as the title states...it says "Second Best?" Samson did not live up to the full potential in which God had called him....how can this be? Well it's because of the choices he made. Have you ever thought about this........when you think about Samson what comes to mind? His strength? His mind? or maybe Delilah and his hair?? Samson is not known as someone who feared the LORD or he did what pleased the LORD....he's known as a man who was strong. Did he even deliver the Philistines? I guess he did but how? His death was so significant? why? simply because he killed more people in his death than he did while he was alive.
It's possible for us to leave God's perfect will. I know that God wanted Samson to do something great and live! But died doing this "great" thing. He was all about himself and how he felt. Samson did not want to do what pleased the LORD, and YET God still answers his final prayer which was very selfish. The only reason why he wanted to get back at the Philistines was because of the fact that they gauged his eyes out.
So lets be careful.....what do you want to be known for.....you death or your life? Do you want all that God wants for you while you're living? It's important to realized that no matter what the calling, we must always seek God and keep him first at all times, or we just might miss out on ALL that He has for us while living.
But as we progress through the chapters, we see that one by one, Samson did not do what he was supposed to, knowing that he should not do those things. We know that he had knowledge of what he ought to and not to do because in the scriptures it says that "the child grew up and the LORD blessed him" 13:24. Now in old testament times, we know that the law was extremely important and we know this because all throughout the scriptures we see the blessings that take place from obeying the law of God.
So what's the purpose of all of this? Well as the title states...it says "Second Best?" Samson did not live up to the full potential in which God had called him....how can this be? Well it's because of the choices he made. Have you ever thought about this........when you think about Samson what comes to mind? His strength? His mind? or maybe Delilah and his hair?? Samson is not known as someone who feared the LORD or he did what pleased the LORD....he's known as a man who was strong. Did he even deliver the Philistines? I guess he did but how? His death was so significant? why? simply because he killed more people in his death than he did while he was alive.
It's possible for us to leave God's perfect will. I know that God wanted Samson to do something great and live! But died doing this "great" thing. He was all about himself and how he felt. Samson did not want to do what pleased the LORD, and YET God still answers his final prayer which was very selfish. The only reason why he wanted to get back at the Philistines was because of the fact that they gauged his eyes out.
So lets be careful.....what do you want to be known for.....you death or your life? Do you want all that God wants for you while you're living? It's important to realized that no matter what the calling, we must always seek God and keep him first at all times, or we just might miss out on ALL that He has for us while living.