Lessons from Samson

Judges 13:1-16:31
I read the story of Samson last week and was confused by it. Samson was a hot-headed, lusty, impetuous, violent man who didn't seem to live up to the goodness God had planned for him. I wondered to myself how God could have used such a mess-up like Samson. I mean, it seems like he was consistently driven by his lust. Look at Delilah. This woman asked him the secret to his strength three times and three times tried to subdue him in that manner. You think that he would have gotten the message that this woman was no good. Instead of fleeing, he eventually gave up because she nagged him "until he was tired to death". Samson suffered because he did not flee temptation. Yet God still used him to work his vengeance on the Philistines. I don't get it.

I was talking about this with my mom last night and God turned the lightbulb on in my head: Samson's story is one of God's grace and mercy. God used Samson despite his shortcomings. Samson's fallings didn't get in the way of God's sovereign plan. God's will was done irregardless of Samson.

It's all about grace. The point of the gospel is that we are worthless wretches who can do no good. The point of the gospel is that we have fallen short. The point of the gospel is that we are utterly worthless...if it weren't for the grace of God. Apart from Christ we have nothing and are nothing. But if we have transferred our trust to Christ, we have a new identity. We have access to holiness, wisdom, love, peace, purity, and strength through Christ.

Samson is just another story that shows God grace and his great plan to use us for His glory.
Praise God!