Shallow Servants

Verse of the day: Judges 16:3, And Samson lay low till midnight; then he arose at midnight, took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two gateposts, pulled them up, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.

If there is anything we can say about Samson, it is that he was certainly an interesting character. The Word of God does not tell us the reason for his visit to Gaza. Many have speculated, but regardless of his reason(s), he was certainly not living a life surrendered to God. Even if he went to Gaza for recon purposes, he obvious lost focus of his mission, and allowed his carnal desires to dictate his actions (v. 1). It is truly amazing that God, knowing who Samson would be, would still use him to be a judge over Israel for twenty years (15:20). I would caution each of us, as someone who has walked this path, to examine our relationship with the Lord every day. There were many times in my years of ministry when I used my busyness (using the talents and abilities God gave me) in ministry to mask my times of heart rebellion. Far too often, we see people who are very talented, and are continually volunteering to serve in some way, and we equate their busyness or ability to minister as being equal to their level of spirituality. God endowed Samson with great strength, and He used him to begin to deliver Israel using that ability. Samson’s great strength did not mean that his heart was right with God. This is still true today. God may have created some of us with the ability to be charismatic speakers and talented singers or with great ministry abilities, but that does not always mean that our hearts are right with God. Note one very important detail about Samson’s great demonstration of strength in this instance. What is missing? In other instances where he performed some supernatural feats (such as defeating a thousand men using the jawbone of a donkey), the Spirit would first come upon him before he did it. Sadly, there are far too many of God’s servants that are using their God-given talents and abilities in their own strength, rather than prayerfully using them in the Spirit, and for God’s glory. What happens, with many of us, is that we become prideful because we have the ability to speak eloquently, sing well or we are able to use our talents in some other manner that draws people’s attention toward us. Some have even used these talents and abilities to teach false doctrine and use ministry as a means to personal gain. Although many may come to Christ as a result, those who misuse their God-given talents and abilities will still have to stand before the Lord and give account. Jesus said this in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Our service, if it is going to yield heavenly worth and reward, needs to be grounded in a sincere relationship with Jesus. We must ask God to examine our hearts every day (Psalm 26:2; 139:23-24). Furthermore, we must pray and ask the Lord to lead us by His Spirit that we might walk in the Spirit as we do the work of the Lord, both within the local church as well as in our social circles, at work, and anywhere else we have the opportunity to be used by God, for His glory (Galatians 5:16-26).

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).