As I look at this world today, I can’t help but think about the lessons Samson learned in Judges 16. He put his trust in his powerful strength and in a woman named Delilah. His powerful strength didn’t come from him and Delilah trusted in different things.

Remember Samson’s mother? Remember how the angel of the Lord told her she would bear a son who would be dedicated to Him from the womb and would deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines (Judges 13:5)? When I think of someone whose life is dedicated to God, I wouldn’t think of Samson. Thankfully, God doesn’t think like me.

God knows the heart of my thoughts. He knows I’m worried about what I’m witnessing today of a world apart from God. I would imagine Samson’s family worried about him as well. He kept being drawn to the very Philistines God would deliver Israel from. Delilah, a Philistine, betrayed Samson and neither his strength nor his love for her could save him. The result? 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. v. 21. The mighty Samson was reduced to serving the Philistines and they even had him brought to a celebration of their god Dagon in a temple built for sport so he could entertain them.

Enough time had passed that Samson’s hair had grown again and I can only imagine without eyes to see he had plenty of time to look inward. The result? Samson prayed to the One he should have trusted in. “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.” v. 28. Do you think Samson had a lot of time to pray with God during his imprisonment? Do you think he found the strength he needed to trust God and let God lead him? 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. v. 30. Remember Samson’s family, probably worried for him all this time? Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel twenty years. v. 31.

It didn’t take long to read about Samson’s life lived so long ago. My life of 69 years has passed in the blinking of my eyes and time seems to be speeding up. What I am learning with God’s loving help is that He has us. My worry for this world will not save the world. Samson’s family’s worry for him could not save him. Samson found the Only One who could save him. What does God tell me today? Live the truth you know.

Watching the recorded Open Table Conference discussion of Hebrews 6 yesterday, Paul Young reminded us that the truth of what was accomplished is done and is in me and you and everyone whether we participate in it or not. The truth of what Christ accomplished is true for all. It is never not true in us. Jesus is the light of truth that shines in the darkness of a world intent on hate in all its forms. “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30.

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:1-5.

Samson was as imperfect as you and I. Jesus died for him. Can you imagine that kind of love? That kind of love ends hate. Love has the beginning and the final word. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13. Thank you Lord, for so great a love! I put my trust in You.