Information Related to "How Can We Be Stronger Than Samson?"
| Audio/Video |
How Can We Be Stronger Than Samson? By Jessica Curry The story of Samson has much to teach us. The author, age 11, asks and answers important questions it seems Samson didn't fully comprehend till the end of his life.
amson ripped open a lion with his bare hands! Can you do that? Samson slew 1,000 Philistine warriors with the jawbone of a donkey! Can you do that?
If you're like me, you had to answer, "No, I can't do that." Maybe we can't do the feats of physical strength that Samson did. Yet we can be stronger than Samson. How? We'll find the answer to this riddle when we look at Samson's strengths and weaknesses. What were Samson's strengths? Samson was strong and agile. He caught 300 foxes and tied burning torches to their tails (Judges 15:4). I can't even outfox my dog, Twinkle Toes! When tied up by enemies, he outdid Houdini by just ripping the ropes off instead of wriggling out of them (Judges 16:9). When he owed clothes to 30 party companions after his wife leaked them the answer to his riddle, Samson "went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle" (Judges 14:19).
Samson's biggest strength was that he called upon God when he got into trouble. When he was thirsty -- and it must have been a powerful thirst! -- he "cried out to the LORD and said, 'You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?'" (Judges 15:18). Samson knew he was God's servant. Samson's activities were "of the LORD -- that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel" (Judges 14:4). When Samson wanted to pull the temple down, he was willing to sacrifice his own life. Again he called out for God to help, "O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes" (Judges 16:28). With these strengths -- physically strong, agile, courageous and looking to God for help -- Samson was a great "hero of faith" listed in Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter). Samson was truly one of those who "out of weakness were made strong" (verse 34). What were Samson's weaknesses?
Samson always wanted revenge on people. For example, after the Philistines burned his wife and her father, Samson said, "Since you would do a thing like this, I will surely take revenge on you, and after that I will cease" (Judges 15:6-7). But he didn't cease until after he took vengeance at the temple (Judges 16:28). This time, he first asked God before he took revenge. The answer to our riddle! So how can we be stronger than Samson? Samson was physically strong, and there's nothing wrong with that. Samson was strong because the Lord was with him so that he could defeat the Philistines. He was not strong enough by himself. He did those great feats of strength through God's help.
We can be stronger than Samson by:
Jessica Curry, age 11, is from Colorado. Recommended reading Young people are doing some amazing things! If you are a teen or young adult, you may be interested in our magazine for young people, . Check it out on the Web at www.verticalthought.org or order your own free subscription. Copyright 2004 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
|||||||||||||||
Related Information:
Other Articles by Jessica Curry
Origin of article "How Can We Be Stronger Than Samson?"
Keywords: Samson
Bible people: