Making Your Life Count

Making your life count for something is an objective most people pursue in life. It's comparable to pursuing a dream as if it were from the very heart of God. From early high school my niece decided to be a pharmacist. She followed that dream by taking chemistry and higher math courses to gain acceptance into a college degree program.

Her passion for reaching her career objective helped her stay focused when she encountered hardships and discouragements. Staying on track by following the natural progression of her college degree program provided hope for reaching her objective.

Samson seemed to be unaware of God’s purpose for him, so he followed what his passions dictated. That God has a plan for you is confirmed in Psalm 40:5. "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you plan for us." Be attentive and listen with your heart and your mind as God's plans for you become evident. God bless you with confidence and trust in your pursuit. 

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I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.

~Psalm 32:8 The Living Bible

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Called from Obscurity

In every generation an individual surfaces from obscurity to become a hero. The Iraqi civilian who risked his life to tell the Americans that Jessica Lynch, an American soldier, was being held as a prisoner of war in an Iraqi hospital is considered a hero along with the soldiers who dramatically rescued her.

Samson does not present himself as a hero because his choices portrayed him as too self-centered. However, he refused to be portrayed as a man without courage or lacking bravery. His final act of self-sacrifice was a triumph God would use for the benefit of his people, demonstrating to all that God’s purpose would be fulfilled.

Someone observed, “The world is in need of heroes, for unhappy is a people that have none.” There are unsung heroes who risk everything for others because God consistently calls ordinary people to serve, sometimes quietly, sometimes with loud praise. Be ready to demonstrate your gifts and talents when Jesus calls you.  

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At first, I was weak and trembling with fear. When I talked with you or preached, I didn’t try to prove anything by sounding wise. I simply let God’s Spirit show his power. That way you would have faith because of God’s power and not because of human wisdom.

~1 Corinthians 2:3-5 Contemporary English Version

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Strength for Heroic Action

Life seldom advances on a smooth continuum but alternates between highs and lows that may test our ability to cope. In the middle are the normal days when we carry on with just making a living. Even so, each person will eventually encounter situations that call for heroic action.

We’re aware that heroes are “created by popular demand,” as Gerald Johnson writes in his book, American Heroes and Hero Worship. Samson is not portrayed as a hero, yet he was God's chosen man, and it appears he may have lived his life for that moment when he gave his life to destroy Israel’s enemy. 

Samson knew God was the source of his strength, and by faith he committed his life to that truth. If you need God’s strength for what you’re facing, seek his forgiveness and cleansing, then determine to live the rest of your life for him. God will renew your strength so you can fulfill his purpose for you. His inner peace and security will be your reward. 

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Before I was born, the Lord appointed me; he made me his servant to bring back his people, to bring back the scattered people of Israel. The Lord gives me honor; he is the source of my strength.

~Isaiah 49:5 Good News Bible

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Depending on God for Help

Life is fragile, and it only takes an accident or a disease to intensify that reality. Yet human beings are capable of managing immense hardships while simultaneously struggling with physical or emotional complications. Still our resilience, flexibility and strength are limited, highlighting our dependency on God for help.

Samson pleaded with God to give him one final opportunity to display his strength, which would officially end his life rather than continue to live in humiliation as a blind slave. He may have believed this demonstration of power would bring Israel closer to freedom while concurrently permitting him to die with integrity.

As a blind slave Samson exercised the only option which he believed he had at that moment. He activated what faith he had in the Lord by asking for strength to carry out one final act against Israel’s enemy. God's ways are not our ways since he has a complete, perfect picture of the future. For that, I am thankful. 

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Listen, Lord, to my prayer; hear my cries for help. I call to you in times of trouble, because you answer my prayers.

~Psalm 86:6-7 Good News Bible

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Wait in Faith and Hope – Not in Desperation

Henry David Thoreau acknowledged that "men lead lives of quiet desperation." Even those who isolate themselves have only changed the source of their desperation. William Burroughs in his book writes, "Desperation requires drastic change, and only those who leave behind everything can hope for escape."

Samson desperately needed to be free of the shame and humiliation of slavery. As he was led into the courtyard where thousands of people were gathered, he asked a guard to place him between the two columns that supported the roof of the magnificent Dagon temple where three thousand people were gathered to observe his performance.

With the power God provided, Samson pushed the columns apart causing the roof to collapse, crushing himself and the Philistine officials. God answered Samson’s prayer, bringing Israel's freedom a step closer to reality. Instead of quiet desperation, God invites you to wait with faith and hope, trusting that his purpose for you will be fulfilled. Trust him to give you his perfect peace. 

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And now the Lord speaks – the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength.

~Isaiah 49:5 New Living Translation

Because of [Jesus Christ], your trust can be in God who raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. Now your faith and hope can rest in him alone.

~1 Peter 1:21 The Living Bible

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Vindication vs. Condemnation

To be condemned is to be judged guilty and undeserving of normal freedoms and privileges. A college professor noted that self-condemnation and self-judgment are among the harshest sentences we impose on ourselves. Robert Burton follows with, it’s our "conscience that makes us reflect upon, accuse and condemn ourselves."

Regardless of how appalling sin is, within most people resides a yearning to be vindicated and absolved of guilt. As Samson was paraded before his enemy to celebrate his capture, he immediately sensed how to vindicate himself from the humiliation of slavery while simultaneously exonerating himself for failing his people.

Listen to Samson’s final appeal: "O Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please strengthen me and let me with one final blow get revenge on my enemies." Have you noticed that, while asking God to meet your need, he may do so while achieving a greater objective? God hears our prayers of desperation and responds in ways that are best for us and others.  

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I said, “I have worked, but how hopeless it is! I have used up my strength but have accomplished nothing.” Yet I can trust the Lord to defend my cause; he will reward me for what I do.

~Isaiah 49:4 Good News Bible

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A Bridge to Deliverance

Each person fails at living up to self- or other-imposed expectations. Guilt can be perceived as essential for confession and repentance. Forgiveness is required for restoring fellowship with God and others. Samson believed he was beyond failure, and this faulty thinking set him up to become a prized captive of his enemies.

On one occasion a crowd of three thousand dignitaries jubilantly sang out praises for the capture of this mighty warrior who was now their blind slave. In time Samson’s hair grew out, which produced in him a belief God would renew his strength. This new belief inspired a transformation in his attitude that gave him hope for vindication. 

Perhaps Samson's hope began by accepting that he had actually built the bridge to his disgrace as a man and servant of God. Now as a blind slave, he could be humble before God. Vindication and deliverance are made possible by genuine sorrow and an attitude of humility. Ask God for strength and courage to be humble.  

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The Lord says, “I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.”

~Isaiah 57:15 Good News Bible

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Crisis: Danger or Divine Opportunity?

A crisis usually develops where neglect and inattention have played a major role. Neglect of the family may result in children developing unacceptable behavioral patterns. Neglecting our need to worship and pray can evolve into a diminished awareness of God's presence. A crisis provides opportunities to make changes that have been ignored.

Can you picture Samson chained to a grinding wheel where his only purpose was to survive another day? He did, however, have the opportunity to change his attitude and thought patterns from an embittered attitude toward God, himself, and his enemy. His choice determined if he would benefit from his crisis. 

Someone noted, "God does not send us despair in order to kill us, but to awaken us to a new life." Perhaps what kept Samson from despair was realizing his hair was beginning to grow out. This gave him hope for the future. The night is never so dark as to extinguish the Light of the World, which is Jesus Christ our Lord. 

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My enemies, don’t be glad because of my troubles! I may have fallen, but I will get up; I may be sitting in the dark, but the Lord is my light. I have sinned against the Lord. And so I must endure his anger, until he comes to my defense. But I know that I will see him making things right for me and leading me to the light.

~Micah 7:8-9 Contemporary English Version

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Crisis = God's Opportunity

It's not often that a person’s world gets turned completely upside-down, but when it does happen, chaos and confusion replace the peace and serenity that previously existed. Albert Einstein in 1933 Germany made this observation, "Only through endangerment and upheaval can people be brought to further development."

Samson experienced a devastating upheaval when both eyes were violently gouged out and he became a slave. Einstein’s belief that good can emerge from disaster may have been inspired by Thomas Adams’ words from the sixteenth century: "Man's troubles and trials are God's opportunity for intervention when we permit it to happen."

We can only imagine Samson's thoughts and feelings as he spent his days moving a huge grinding wheel. Contemporary prisoners of war have testified that focusing on God's presence gave them strength to survive and courage to forgive their tormentors. May God give you the awareness to sense his presence wherever you are.  

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The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.

~Psalm 146:8 New International Version

 The Lord saves the righteous and protects them in times of trouble. He helps them and rescues them; he saves them from the wicked, because they go to him for protection.

~Psalm 37:39-40 Good News Bible

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Seeing a Small Flicker of God's Light

A crisis invariably creates within a person the compulsion for self-examination to assess the pain and suffering that cannot be denied. The unwillingness to take advantage of an opportunity to change unproductive behaviors and thoughts is a prescription for other major crises to follow, filled with additional pain and suffering.

Samson experienced several crises in rapid succession. The most severe crisis followed the loss of God’s presence, which resulted in being captured by his enemies who promptly gouged out his eyes. In addition, he was permanently separated from his family and friends and made to serve as a slave for the duration of his life.

Even under such harsh conditions, Samson’s will to live could not be extinguished. In the depths of that devastating darkness, nothing could switch off the flicker of God's light that provided hope for fulfilling God’s calling. God’s love penetrates the deepest darkness to give courage and hope for facing the future.  

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You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.

~2 Samuel 22:28-29 English Standard Version

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

~Matthew 4:16 New International Version

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Walk Anew with God

When someone deliberately betrays a friend or loved one, that person is often characterized as unworthy of forgiveness. Genesis gives us a clear picture of betrayal when Cain murdered his brother Abel. Adam and Eve had betrayed God by eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Samson betrayed his commitment to God by sleeping with Delilah. The strength of the Lord left Samson, yet God did not entirely abandon him. As a blind slave chained to a grinding wheel, Samson had time to think. Even when conditions appear hopeless, God will renew his Spirit within a person when there is recognition and repentance of sin.

God will help us come to ourselves and return to him. Our hope is secured in the grace and mercy of the Lord God. He forgives us and puts away our sins as far as the East is from the West. Our hope is then built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and his righteousness. So seek God with all your heart and begin a new walk with him right now.  

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This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!"

~Jeremiah 9:23-24 New Living Translation

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Seek God – Accept Boundaries

A crisis has the potential for securing change that previously seemed impossible. While a crisis can produce positive results, sadness and grief most often follow in its wake. Samson’s relationship with Delilah produced a devastating crisis for his life because he refused to accept that she was untrustworthy and would betray him.

Her betrayal resulted in Samson’s capture by an enemy who gouged out his eyes. He would labor for the rest of his life as a blind slave chained to a grinding wheel. Samson betrayed himself by believing he could survive and thrive living on the edge without boundaries, while minimizing his commitment to God.

As a Christian it is incredibly important to believe God will never betray or forsake you, even if you have turned your back on him. If this is your story, repent and seek God’s forgiveness. Ask him to renew your faith. If  you are sincere, he will receive you back into fellowship. Seek God now while he can be found. 

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If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

~Psalm 66:18-20 New International Version

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Seek Justice, Not Revenge

 What are your hopes and dreams for this New Year? What burdens and heartaches do you want to leave behind? Conflict exists at every stage of life, sometimes perpetrated either by our own choices or by others’ resentment and anger seeking justice. Aristotle defined justice as a virtue, and therefore it should not be driven by hate or bitterness.  

Justice must be carried out within appropriate boundaries of what is acceptable to God in contrast to revenge. True justice must be linked with reason and compassion or else it festers and becomes revenge. "Revenge is mine says the Lord I will repay."  Here he commands us to refrain from seeking revenge, for it sabotages justice. 

God loves justice so we are to be fair, just, and merciful. Listen to this assurance from Proverbs 2:8. "The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  He guards the course of the just and protects his faithful ones." Because you have a choice, take God’s promise into the New Year.  So Happy New Year to you! 

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But [God] has already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.

~Micah 6:8 The Message

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