SamsonSample

DAY 1: Our Vow to God

“All that God has required of me, I have done. I’ve kept every vow. No wine. No touching anything dead. No cutting of my hair. Do you think it’s been easy abiding by such things? Do you think I haven’t had opportunities? Even so, I’ve been true to what the angel told you. And for what? Where has it gotten me? Where has it gotten us? We’re still under the scourge of Balek and Rallah. We still have no peace. Why is it that God withholds the very things we desire?” – Samson, Eric Wilson (Charisma House, 2018)

Samson is a highly unusual case. He was to live under the Nazarite vow, which involved not drinking alcohol, not touching a dead body, and not cutting the hair. As it is described in Numbers 6:1-21, the Nazarite vow is voluntary, has a specific timeframe, and concludes with a sacrifice. However, Samson was to live under these restrictions for life. And like everyone else, he struggled to live according to God’s will.

God calls us to be living sacrifices for Him. (Romans 12:1). He calls us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses for Him.(Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34). As Samson discovers, he must not only yield to his purpose in life but pray for God’s help to achieve it. In the same way, we must rely on God’s strength in order to live a fully Christlike life.