Verse of the day: Judges 14:8-9, After some time, when he returned to get her, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion. And behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion. 9 He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion.
There are three things we can see about Samson’s second encounter with the young lion. First, we see that he avoids telling his mother and father about where he obtained the honey, because as a Nazarite he was not supposed to touch the carcass of the lion. We too have a tendency to leave out the sinful details of our escapades when we are putting on our Christian facades. We get good at putting on the outward appearance of holiness, when in reality our hearts are far from God. We can fool people, but we cannot fool God, as He knows the heart (Jeremiah 17:10). Secondly, and what I would like to focus on, we see that Samson shared of his sweet victory with his parents. As Christians, when we suffer through difficult times and fight the tough battles, the victory is not for us alone. When we struggle to make ends meet and the Lord provides or we suffer with an illness and we experience healing, or when we suffer alongside a loved one and the Lord walks with us and brings us through those time, we are called to share that with others. It is those kinds of testimonies that are an encouragement for one another as children of God. They are opportunities to witness to others and tell them about Jesus and eternal life in Him. The Apostle Paul wrote this in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” When we share what God is doing, and has done, in our lives during difficult times, it is an encouragement to those who experience similar struggles. When we are blessed with unexpected material gain, how many of us stop and ask the Lord, “Lord, how would you have me use this for your glory?” Sadly, the first thing we do when we receive this type of blessing is go to our list of “wants” and go spend it frivolously on something that will end up collecting dust in the corner. The bottom line is that the blessings we receive, whether by way of being comforted or by way of material blessing, should be for the ultimate purpose of blessing others for God’s glory. Lastly, Samson, although being disobedient and violating his vow, shared his undeserved blessing with his parents. It is truly sad to see children fail to take care of their parents as they grow older. Our parents are not perfect, just as we are not perfect. Many have done their best to take care of us and our needs, and there comes a time when we must then take care of them. 1 Timothy 5:8 says this, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” As God’s children, let us be a people who break down the façade, and truly live for the Lord. Let us be encouragers and always be ready to comfort those who need comforting, and be willing to share our blessings with others, especially those of our own household, all for God’s glory.
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).
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