Yesterday's sermon on the life of Samson led me to chase a rabbit ever so briefly: Samson is in Timnah, a Philistine stronghold checking out the ladies when one catches his eye and he decides she is going to marry him. He heads home to tell his parents who are less than thrilled.
Judges 14:3-4 (NLT) 3 His father and mother objected strenuously, "Isn't there
one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry? Why must you
go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?" But Samson told his father, "Get
her for me. She is the one I want." 4 His father and mother didn't realize the
LORD was at work in this, creating an opportunity to disrupt the Philistines,
who ruled over Israel at that time.
Verse 4 is so curious. Was Samson merely following God's will, and are we even right in talking about his poor decision-making process. I pointed out that there are 2 portions of God's will; one part is what God has pre-determined and the other part is what God permits. There are times I don't like either of the two because they don't go the way I had hoped. At other times, I find great encouragement in knowing that it is in God's hands I rest.
What we hate to acknowledge is that God permits certain things to happen in this world. We must face the consequences of a fallen world. We must face the problems associated with our decision-making. Samson is quite possibly history's worst example of how to live your life. His calloused approach to allowing God to direct his path led him down a difficult path and only through the grace of God did he finish well and complete his pre-ordained task.
As we go through this week, let us all consider the decisions we make in light of God's calling in our lives. Let us understand that God's plans for us are greater than we can see and let us draw to Him in utmost obedience. Catch the sermon:
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