Daily Devotional for Thursday, November 3

Samson’s Death

Samson is an illustration of a life started poorly but finishing well. Sadly, Samson never got to live a new life as a new creature, because his strong finish cost him his life even though it was a strong finish. Clearly, most of Samson’s life was wasted and useless. He disrespected his parents, he chased ill-advised women, and his anger and rage constantly got him into trouble. It might be easy to look at Samson’s life and conclude that he was not even one of God’s own. Not only that, but his actions and lifestyle put him in the situation he was in, a prisoner of the Philistines on display for their fun and mockery. 

God had called Samson for a purpose, to rid the Israelites of the Philistine oppressors and make them free. Despite his wasted life, Samson had one last chance to fulfill his purpose which God had foreordained. Here, the enemy was all gathered together and ripe for the picking. In his last moments, Samson got it right. He called on the Lord, the Lord answered, and Samson accomplished God’s will. 

It is never too late. Forget the past because that is what God did when He forgave our sins. Like Samson, He is waiting for us to call on Him for the strength to fulfill His purpose for our lives. When we call, He will answer. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16).

JUST A THOUGHT: God does not hold our past against us. Only we hold it against ourselves.

Wally Fry