Samson was a little like a loose cannon, don’t you think? He had gone home to cool down after the wedding fiasco, but it appears he thought he was still married. Imagine his surprise when he found out his wife was no longer his wife. That surprise sparked more destruction of Philistine property. Samson said, “This time I cannot be blamed for everything I am going to do to you Philistines.”
Samson truly believed that he had proper justification to sacrifice those foxes and burn down the grain fields, the vineyards, and olive groves. All over a woman! His pride had been damaged after all. He needed to show who was in control. That did not end well for his wife or her father.
Samson’s anger over the Philistines killing his wife then spurned into revenge. “So he attacked the Philistines with great fury and killed many of them.” These behaviors are not from God, nor are they pleasing to God. Yet God didn’t give up on Samson. Samson retreated again, this time into a cave.
The Philistines had not been completely destroyed, and it was their turn to seek revenge. They began taking out their anger on the tribe of Judah as they were looking for Samson. Judah miraculously knew where to find Samson and promptly negotiated his return to face the Philistines.
Then God showed up. We read, “But the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Samson, and he snapped the ropes on his arms as if they were burnt strands of flax, and they fell from his wrists.” God’s timing is interesting, didn’t you think? While Samson was able to kill another 1,000 men with a jawbone he found, presumably the power he was consumed by was from on high.
That nasty old pride showed up again for Samson when he began to sing his own praises, rather than giving God credit for the victory. We can often fall prey to that, as well. If you’ve ever patted yourself on the back for a job well done remember who was working behind the scenes to make you great!
Here’s another great reminder about pride from C.S. Lewis’ book, Mere Christianity, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”Keep your eyes on Jesus and what he has done for you. I love this quote from Anne Graham Lotz, “Our ultimate aim in life is not to be healthy, wealthy, prosperous, or problem free. Our ultimate aim in life is to bring glory to God.”
Let’s pray …
Lord, forgive me for those times when I have been boastful or prideful in my own achievements. I know I am nothing without you working inside me. It is an honor and privilege to be given the opportunities I have been given. Help me to be grateful and focused on bringing you the glory! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
