I am fairly certain that Samson of the book of Judges was a short and scrawny fella. Why else would the Philistines insist on finding out where his strength came from? If he were a big, muscular guy, there would be no “secret” to his powerful might.
Of course, we know the secret was the Spirit of God. Samson knew it too. He “stirred himself up” before fighting. And even after Delilah cut his hair, he thought that all he had to do was stir up his spirit, and he’d have all the mojo he needed.
Samson had been dedicated to God since his birth, and he made an oath to God about never cutting his hair. He took for granted that when he needed God to “show up,” all he had to do was “show up” himself! He didn’t even have to keep himself holy or righteous. He just showed up, because he knew that God never fails.
Even when Samson made a stupid mistake (okay, Samson made lots of stupid mistakes, but when he made his fatal mistake….) and the spirit of God left him, he still performed his duty. Unfortunately, he was a victim of his own strength because of the circumstances he created for himself. But God accomplished his will through Samson.
So, let’s say you’re Samson. I know, I know…. You haven’t made nearly as many mistakes, but bear with me. Say that from the time you were very young, you dedicated yourself to God to be used by him. Throughout your life, you accomplished things that you knew were because God was with you. Your life was saved when you boldly came against an armed robber without fear. You beat up a large group of bullies who were terrorizing a young boy. You knew that all you had to do was step out in defense of people who depended on you, and God would enable you to win.
Feels pretty good, doesn’t it? Imagining yourself as a hero… that nothing evil can stand against you… that it doesn’t really matter what you do, because God will always win. The only requirement is that you show up… and you keep your oath.
Now I ask you: Do you have any reason to believe that that is NOT the case right now in your life? I mean, Biblically speaking… is there any reason to think that God will not do what He says he will do? Samson believed it, even though he was a screw-up. Why should we believe any less, when we have so much more reason to believe? Samson’s power was transient. Ours is constant. Ours is a permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Ours is a promise that God will never leave nor forsake us, that He will be with us until the end of the age. That’s the “lo” part of the great commission. But the first part is the “go” part. We’re actually supposed to DO something with the powerful might that dwells in us.
Each of us is a “scrawny fella” like Samson who, despite our failings, can do the will of God simply by “showing up.” Because wherever you go, there you are. And there is the Spirit of God.
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