Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Everyone has something that makes them unhappy. Following Jesus does not guarantee that everything will go our way. So, whatever you are going through, you might want to smile and hold your head up. Remember, it could be worse. Therefore, you should consider whether it could be that God’s mighty plan is at work.
The story of Samson, found in the book of Judges, is one of the Bible’s most remarkable and memorable stories. Samson was known for his superhuman strength and love affair with Delilah, the woman who betrayed him. His life was a series of triumphs and tragedies, and his story serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and the consequences of our choices. Samson was very defiant, often wanting everything to go his way according to his intended arrangements. But he did not know God had a more excellent plan for him.
Samson went down to Timnah, where he saw a Philistine woman he had to have. He did not know that God had pre-arranged the meeting. It was love at first sight. Samson told his parents to get this woman for him because he wanted to marry her. God forbade an Israelite to marry a foreigner, and Samson’s parents disapproved of him marrying a Philistine woman. But he insisted that his parents get this Philistine woman to be his bride. As I read the story of Samson, this verse got my attention:
God Arranged It
“But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord — that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For the Philistines had dominion over Israel.”
— Judges 14:4 NKJV
Samson let his eyes and his hormones drive him. He fell in love with something that God did not want him to have. Like Samson, we often fall in love with things that God does not want us to have, like drugs and alcohol. But could it be that God allows these struggles in our lives, not for our destruction, but for His glory? This ‘glory’ refers to the manifestation of God’s power and goodness in our lives, even amid our struggles.
Samson wanted everything to go his way, but did not know God planned it that way. At the end of his life, all of the rebellious and foolish things that Samson did worked out for his good. Why? Because God’s plan always includes redemption. God was seeking an opportunity to move against the Philistine God, Dagon. Samson was the vessel that God used to destroy Dagon.
We Must Choose
Friends, God does not want us to be addicted to drugs and alcohol; however, if we choose to do drugs or alcohol, He can use our addictions to make a way of escape for us (1 Corinthians 10:13 [NKJV]). And when God delivers us, He uses our testimonies of deliverance to tear down strongholds in our lives (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 [NKJV]).
So it happened that when the temple where the Philistines worshiped their God Dagon was full of worshiping Philistine leaders, they called for Samson to perform for them. They intended to humiliate Samson.
“Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, ‘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)
When Samson prayed, God honored his request and returned his strength. Samson pushed on the main support columns of the temple, and it fell on all the Philistines who were in it. So, the dead that Samson killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life. Samson’s story is a testament that all things work together for good when you love the Lord and are called to His purpose. God had chosen Samson for His purpose, and God worked out the details.
God Honors Prayer
Although Samson was strong, he had a weakness for the things of this world. He allowed his weakness for a woman to lead him down a path that would have destroyed him. Except that God chose him from birth to destroy the Philistines and their god, Dagon. Though Samson was weak, God made him strong so that he would complete his purpose.
The Bible says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:13-14). God is in control even when we think we are. So, whatever you are going through, I encourage you to know that if you love God, it doesn’t matter. Trust God; it will work out for your good (Romans 8:28).
If you are unhappy with something in your life, don’t be too anxious to do away with it because it just might be that God planned it that way. After all, we exist to serve God’s purpose. This ‘purpose’ refers to God’s overarching plan for our lives, which often involves using our struggles to shape us into the people He wants us to be (Romans 9:20-21). You see, God uses the weak things of the world to put to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Perhaps God has chosen you to do great things for Him, but you have allowed your love for something other than Him to lead you down the wrong path. Even though your life looks dim, don’t give up. Pray that God will strengthen you, and watch Him work a miracle in your life.
