Lessons From The Life Of Samson Part 3

Yes, it is Samson again. I am sorry if you would rather talk about something else but there just seems to be so much to learn from this man’s life that would help us succeed in this present day. Indeed there is nothing new under the sun. The things that happen, obviously, happened before but maybe under different circumstances. The lessons we need to live successfully, are the same hence the bible is always relevant despite changing times. The word of God is indeed always a present truth.  It is true that we have regrets in life; things we feel we ought to have done or not done that we did and shouldn’t have done; but it will be sad if at the end of a believer’s life, he is sorrowful and full of regrets. So full of regrets and pain that he would desire to end his own life. Though he killed more people in death than in life, could he have been destined to take his own life? It was clear that at that point Samson was not thinking like he should have; obviously, the pain and shame he felt at that time was to him worse than death. Once more the grave received another who was yet “full with his purpose.” It does not have to be so for us.

Judges 16: 30a “he prayed, let me die with the Philistine rulers and all the people.”

Maybe this means nothing to you but unless one goes through it, one can only imagine the pain that betrayal causes: that kind of betrayal where your friend who was your best man at your wedding marries your wife instead. Such was the pain of Samson whose companion whom he took with him to his wedding ended up marrying his wife. At no time did Samson tell his friend that he was no longer in love with her and we are not told that anyone contacted him to find out if he still wanted her; not even the friend. Isn’t it sad that that those closest to us sometimes hurt us the most? Indeed the arm of flesh would surely fail. Man, even at his very best, is man and has the potentials to fail anyone. We must watch out for ourselves that we don’t get carried away. I am sure the friend gave himself all the reasons in the world why it was not bad for him to have married Samson’s wife as we often do when we do wrong so we don’t feel bad. He would have all the best arguments in the world for what he did. The truth is our trust must always be in God otherwise we would suffer unnecessary pain and disappointment.

Judges 14: 20  “So his wife was given in marriage to the man who had been Samson’s best man at the wedding.”

Jeremiah 17: 5 “This is what the Lord says: cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.”

Unfortunately, anger is also a terrible thing when it becomes consuming. The bible says we can be angry but we should not let it go on to sin. Samson was so upset he stayed away from his wife for too long which is contrary also to biblical counsel. God rightly counsels us that anger should not last for long. He was so angry he returned to his parents after the wedding, without his wife. When he finally calmed down, it was too late because he already lost the wife. Though he was angry, he apparently still cared about her because when he was returning to her, he even took a gift with him; he obviously felt that his anger had gone beyond reasonable limits after all the people had threatened to burn his wife’s family. Obviously, his father-in-law was ashamed that his daughter who had been given out in marriage was abandoned and he thought he was making the best decision in the circumstance. Being overly emotional is not wise. Anger is an emotion which must not overcome us. We must have self-control.

Ephesians 4: 26 “And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

Another lesson we learn from this story is that we have to pray for our families. If a member of your family that you care for has a problem, you also have a problem. You can’t be happy when they are in trouble. Indeed, it is a good way for the enemy to distract one. When the enemy tries to reach or pull down a believer and is unable to, he would attempt to touch a weak member of your family. It is of utmost importance that we pray for our families. Also, don’t leave your spouse behind as you improve on your walk with God. You don’t need a weak link. It is best when everyone grows together. When they could not reach Samson, they went for his wife and threatened her life and that of her family. Of course, she wanted to protect her family so she made Samson tell her, the solution to the riddle. It was either that or she and her family would perish. She became the weak link in his life. We must pray for our entire family and especially for the salvation of every member of our families.

Judges 14: 15b “Entice your husband to explain the riddle for us, or we will burn down your father’s house with you in it.”

Finally, sweetness does indeed come from the strong. The strong may be strong physically or have a position of power. Every believer is strong. Even the weak are admonished to say they are strong. As believers, sweetness should flow from our strength just as with our God. It may not be sweetness that is appreciated immediately but at the end of the day, it would be called sweetness. While Samson was trying to get the honey, he may have been stung by bees but eventually sweetness flowed. At the beginning, it may not seem like sweetness but the testimony concerning us must be that the outflow was goodness even if it does not seem so at the beginning to the person at the receiving end. Our strength whether physical, material, knowledge or even office should ultimately work good for those that encounter us. Just like the lion, until we die to ourselves, or our flesh dies, sweetness cannot come out of us. Death precedes sweetness.