Judges 16 (NKJV)

22 “However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven.” 28 “Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray!

Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”

This chapter speaks more to our faith walk than the temptress Delilah's affair with strong man and Judge Samson."

At the beginning of the chapter, he continues to astonish the pagan people with his strength by ripping the heavy wood gate off their pins and breaking the iron locks. A single human could not lift one gate, and Samson ripped off two. He then carried the gates on his shoulders toward Hebron. Biblical translations vary, but Hebron was 40 miles away with at an elevation of 2500 hundred feet, an all-uphill climb. The text does not say, "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him." We then are introduced to the infamous temptress, Delilah, who is the demise of Samson.

When we look back at the events of Samson's less-than-stellar rule as a judge, it is easy to shake our heads at what we read, but instead of shaking our heads, we should look in the mirror. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, not coming upon us at certain times. We have the holy and divine Word readily available electronically, and as I write this Daily SOAP, I am looking at all the printed Bibles I have. As believers under the Covenant of the New Testament, we are without excuse, yet we allow our sinful nature to "get the best of us," just as Samson did. We fail to follow Holy Spirit urgings and nudges given to guide us in what we are to do and to be; all part of why none of us are here by accident and why we were fearfully and wonderfully for this exact time.

Before completing this SOAP this morning, I was on a Seedbed Zoom Advent study. Today's focus was Joseph, the most underrated and understated person in the Christmas story, who played a crucial role. J.D. Walt spoke of Joseph’s dreams of marrying Mary and what their life together would be. On the other hand, there was God's dream. We have our dreams, and then God has his dream (singular) for our life; there is nothing better than God’s dream. God says to do the hard thing; I'll help you. I thought about the difficulty Joseph experienced, and yes, Samson as well. They both did hard things, Joseph when he married Mary, .and Samson when he took hold of the pillars in Dagon’s temple. As we come to the end of this calendar year, take time for a period of self-examination and reflection and listen as Mother Teresa said she did during an interview when asked about her prayer life. Ask God to reveal His Dream for your life. We have the privilege of playing a role in the story of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a privilege to play a role in your story! This is not a part we take should lightly. We need to know, know with certainty, and not what we want or think the role to be. It will more than likely be out of our comfort zone. You want us to stretch, grow, and flourish, not stagnate and wither. It will be hard at times, but as with Joseph and Samson, You were with them and will be with us. Give us wisdom, discernment, and clarity in this process of seeking. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.