I have been thinking about Samson recently. Perhaps it’s because I have become partially blind in one eye and Samson lost both his eyes just before his passing. I’m not aware of any Bible study or sermon about the death of this heroic, difficult man. But I have thought for many years now that there is a solid message for every Christian within the last recorded moments in Samson’s life. He killed more of the enemy in his death than in his years on Earth.
We have a similar opportunity for spiritual warfare – to bring as many souls as possible to God, by dying to self, picking up our cross and obeying Jesus. Although we face persecution, our calling is to love the Lord and love others even when it hurts, even if it kills us. It’s never too late to proclaim Christ, even if the body is dying. The Living God freely gives hope in a guaranteed life beyond death!
Samson had lost everything – his honour and prestige, his purpose and, more than anything, his relationship with the Lord. He was viciously blinded and made vulnerable, and the woman he loved had betrayed him. The strongest of men was now dependent on others, who treated him like an eyeless doll. The ‘secret of his great strength’ seemingly forgotten in the midst of the mockery.
Consider what was going through his mind as he stood in that temple. I think the core of his grief was feeling far from God. But the Lord, the source of his power, had not forgotten him and was close at hand. In the final moments, Samson, the leader of Israel, cries out to his creator to give him strength. He wants to glorify the Living God again. And the Lord responds by making him strong once more, restoring the mighty warrior to the heavenly banqueting table.
I know in my own life there have been countless times when circumstances have brought me down. Then I have realised that the Holy Spirit is there and I have a sense of gladness and strength, which is totally reassuring.
I don’t know what you are facing in your own life right now. Cancer, money troubles, horrendous family issues… whatever it is, God is close at hand. Samson didn’t look at the problems he had, but looked to the Lord and decided to give him glory. So must we follow. Cry out to the Lord and say to him that you will not be dictated by circumstances. You will be dictated by the freedom of the Holy Spirit! He is the ‘secret of [the] great strength.’ And then die to self, put your hands against the walls of the enemy’s temple and push hard! It’s easy for me to write such words but I need to do it myself. Let’s do it together, you and I. Consecrate ourselves to the Living God! Let’s push hard against these walls!
Here is the Judges 16 passage for reflection:-
Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.
Now the rules of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemhy, into our hands.”
When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying,
“Our god has delivered our enemy
into our hands,
the one who laid waste our land
and multiplied our slain.”
While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.”
Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”
Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
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