WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Think of a time when you were mistreated. If it still troubles you, bring it to God now.

Getting even
‘Don’t get angry – get even!’ So the old saying goes. Samson does both. His anger problem is spiralling out of control.

He talks about getting even (v 3) and taking revenge (v 7) but it’s not really justice that is driving him when he claims, ‘I was only getting even with them. They did the same things to me first’ (v 11).

Supernatural strength
Yes, they killed his wife and father-in-law, but he had already destroyed their year’s harvest and viciously slaughtered many people. Yet he still kills another thousand men before he stops for a drink.

This angry, violent man is given supernatural strength by God (v 14) and can’t be contained by anyone. He fights as a superhero of biblical proportions (literally) and wins a great victory for Israel.

Acknowledging God
For the first time recorded he acknowledges God. He does this in two ways: first by acknowledging that the victory over the Philistines was granted him by God and second by crying out to God when he is in need. Then he becomes Israel’s leader.

Samson’s desire for revenge is excessive and self-centred and his motives are less than holy. I find it difficult to understand God’s readiness to use impure, human motives to achieve his holy, divine purposes – but he does.

Respond: Is there a conflict, large or small, that you could help resolve today? Perhaps it’s not your fault. Ask God for wisdom to help you bring peace his way.

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-08-16