WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Praise the Most High: honour and glorify him for he ‘lives for ever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation’ (Daniel 4:34, NIV). Not the ideal candidate WANTED: one man, dedicated to God from birth, a non-drinker who has never eaten anything ceremonially unclean nor had his hair cut. Responsibilities: to deliver the nation of Israel from the Philistines who have been oppressing them for 40 years. Prophets and mighty warriors are encouraged to apply. Why do I find it easier to accept that God works through the good, the selfless and the heroic rather than through the wicked, the selfish and the flawed? Despite ‘belonging to God from the day he is born’ (13:5), when we meet Samson as a young adult, he does not seem to be the ideal candidate for saving God’s people. God is in charge He has an eye for the ladies, is self-centred, doesn’t honour his parents, is proud, not a good judge of character, violent, a thief, has an anger problem and seems immature, running home when things don’t go his way (v 19). God is still unfolding his plan, despite Samson’s lack of interest (v 4) and he anoints Samson with his Holy Spirit. God used a deeply flawed man to achieve his purposes, just as he used ungodly nations to test Israel’s faithfulness (see 2:22). This tells us that God is in charge and does things his way. Respond: Pray for someone in leadership today, whether Christian or not. You never know how God might use them. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-08-15