May 1

The story of the birth of Samson is kind of interesting.  Here we see Israel once again in the cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, deliverance, blessing, and back to sin. Into these times the next judge of Israel is born, Samson. In a way, we get a sense that Samson was truly a man of his times. When we look at his life we find him to be a man of great strengths and great weaknesses, much like the nation of Israel, and much like all of us. Keeping our frail human nature in mind, what I found so interesting in this account of Samson's birth is Manoah's prayer to the "angel of Lord" after his wife's encounter."O Lord, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."  (v.8) Then again, "When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy's life and work?" First of all, let's recognize that God encounters are real. Let's also see through this that Manoah's cry to God shows us that we should always look up for answers on whatever situation we are facing. Manoah wanted to know how to raise his son. I have made many mistakes as a parent and I wonder how different life might have been if I had only asked God first.  Not just as a parent, but in life in general.  Today's Proverb teaches us "A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless"  I wonder how different even Samson's life would have been in his moments of weakness if he followed his father's example and asked God first. What about you, what do you need guidance about?  Like the nation of Israel, and like Samson, are you somewhere in the cycle between strength and weakness?  Like Manoah, do you need guidance?  I pray we all remember to "look up" today.  Lord, forgive me for all the times I haven't asked you how to raise my children, and for all the times I have been reckless in many areas in my life because I didn't look up to You first. By the power of Your Spirit remind us to look up before we speak or act. Stir Your Spirit within us Lord so that we can be mighty vessels to bring glory to Your Kingdom whether we are parenting, working, or even when we feel the darkness is closing in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Nx2hEhVRE

Randi

In this light, we can also see him as a picture of Israel's history both during this period and throughout the general stories we've been reading. In both the nation of Israel and in Samson we see a picture of great heights and deep lows. So as we begin our story, we find that because of Israel's sin and rebellion, God gained their attention once again by bringing them under the power of the Philistines.