By then he was very thirsty, and he called on the Lord, saying, "You have granted this great victory by the hand of your servant. Am I now to die of thirst, and fall in the hands of the uncircumcised?" So God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came from it. When he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore it was named En-hakkore which is at Lehi to this day. And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years. Judges 15: 18-20 NRSV
Samson is a very manipulative person. He always wants what he wants and knows how to get it. He seems to have very little feeling for others. He has a weakness for Philistine women but not a whole lot of discernment of their character. He is a hero for the Israelites but not the type of hero they want. He does judge Israel for twenty years, but it isn't clear that he has truly rid them of the tyrant Philistines. He does not even seem to have a good relationship with God.
At least he understands where his true victory comes from: from God.
Most of us consider ourselves good people. We are at least trying to be the people whom God calls us to be. But are we that aware of God's hand in all the blessings we receive? Do we understand God as the true victor in our lives? Do we tend to congratulate ourselves when it has been God's doing all along? How many of us go around saying: "God you have granted this victory at the hand of your servant?"
Despite his many flaws, Samson has a better grasp of God's power than we do.
God, you have a hand in all the blessings and victories in our lives. We pray that we may see your hand at work in our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Question of the day: What did you accomplish yesterday that you can see God's hand in?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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