What is the source of your strength?? You know, the strength that helps you make it through the day. The strength that keeps you going in difficult times. The strength that gives you confidence to power through those moments when temptation is seeking to overwhelm you. What is the source of your strength? The second, and very closely related question is, what are you doing to guard your strength? These are two very important questions that I believe we all need to be aware of in order to successfully, not necessarily perfectly, but successfully and faithfully walk as a follower of Jesus each and every day.
Now the reason I’m asking this question is because just a couple days ago I read the story of Sampson and Delilah from the book of Judges in the Old Testament of the Bible. Reading this story again brought these powerful questions to mind. Sampson was very much aware of the source of his strength, but he had a little difficulty guarding it or keeping it safe and away from his enemies.
Quick review if you don’t remember the story. Sampson was born to a couple who for years had been unable to have children. An angel of God appeared to Sampson’s mother and tells her that even though she has been barren she is about to have a baby. But this isn’t just any baby, he will be a special child with a special purpose from God. Sampson was to be raised as a “Nazarite,” meaning he wasn’t to cut his hair and he was to be very careful with what he consumed. Sampson, as an adult, became a judge over Israel, meaning he helped provide some leadership for the people and tribes. Sampson was also very strong, with the secret to his strength being in his long hair.
Sampson married a Philistine woman (Philistines were the enemy of Israel) by the name of Delilah. She proceeded to try to get Sampson to share the secret of his strength so the Philistine leaders could capture and conquer Sampson. Sampson kept toying with the Philistines, giving them partials truths, or information that was getting them closer to the truth. Finally, Sampson broke down and told Delilah the secret of his strength, which was the cutting of his hair.
Shortly after this, Delilah cut Sampson’s hair while he slept, and the Philistine’s were able to capture and contain Sampson. He was no longer a threat. Sampson does have one final moment of glory for God, but I’ll let you read that for yourself. The story can be found in Judges 13-16.
Sampson knew the source of his strength…it was God. But the symbol of his dedication and connection to God was in his uncut hair. I believe after so many years of enjoying his strength and connection with God, Sampson began to take it for granted. He was careless, even reckless with his special gift and connection, maybe even flaunting it a bit. He kept giving hints that were getting his enemy closer to the truth of how he could lose his strength and connection with God. And ultimately when his guard was down, he gave in, told the secret, and lost his connection, his strength, and ultimately his life.
As disciples of Jesus, we too have a strength. Our strength and hope is found in following Jesus. Our strength is gained through trusting his teaching and seeking to do likewise. Our strength is found in community dedicated to worshiping, serving, and doing life together. But sometimes we take our connection and our strength for granted. At times we can also hold our strength rather loosely or carelessly, just assuming it will always be there. And, like Sampson, over time we might slowly give in and surrender bits and pieces of our strength and connection with God, until finally, the secret of our strength is claimed and used by the enemy against us. It’s then we find ourselves, like Sampson, blinded and powerless, and controlled by the enemy or distractions we use to have victory over.
May we learn from Sampson, to not only claim our strength and our connection to God, but may we also protect it and guard against anything that seeks to slowly steal it away. And how do we guard our strength? Paul gives us an answer in his letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 4:4-7 Paul writes that we should rejoice in the Lord, remain gentle, not let anxiety get the best of us, and stay connected with God through our prayer life. If we do that, Paul says, the “peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
One other passage that speaks to this topic, this time from the Old Testament book of Psalm – “The Lord is my strength and shield, in him my heart trusts.” Psalm 28:7. This Psalm and Philippians 4:4-7 are great passages to memorize. They are both great guardrails to rely on and help keep us safe as we journey through life. So, know your strength, guard your strength, and stay connected with our living God!
Pastor Keith