The Spirit In Samson

When you hear the name, Cain, your mind automatically goes to Abel. You hear Ananias and you form a mental picture of Sapphira. In like manner, when you hear the name Samson, you immediately think of Delilah. True, but our picture today has nothing to do with Delilah. Before us is a picture that is not too often given exposure. Here is our Bible text. 

Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. Judges 14: 5 – 6

Many of us hear of persons who are well trained in martial arts. We sometimes watch impressive demonstrations of these different skills, where persons have the art of defending themselves against attacking enemies. In this meditation, we are presented with Samson, in a demonstration of another skill and art. 

On this occasion, Samson is attacked by a roaring lion. It is here that we are taken to see a truth, which I believe many of us need to hear at this time. This is what we are shown. It matters not to Samson whether it is a young goat, or young lion before him, the moves are the same.  The skill and art of the Holy Spirit in a human being, is truly a demonstration to behold.

Let’s set the scene perfectly. Samson, and his parents are on their way to Timnah. He is going there to marry, a young Philistine woman, whom he has seen, and wants as his wife.  He is not prepared for any battle. He is prepared for marriage. Nothing of trouble or fighting is on his mind.

Every journey has its dangers, but on the road to Timnah, it is highly unlikely that a ferocious, attacking lion, will get at you. Yet, as Samson goes on, he is suddenly attacked. Think about it. This is no foreseen dilemma. It is not even that he has seen tracks of the lion and knows to watch out for it. It is not even that he has heard some rustling, or seen some bushes move, to alert him of this attack. No! It is all very sudden and unexpected. He is not prepared for this attack.

The attack is from a strong, vicious young lion that makes no bones about what it wants to do. The lion goes directly at Samson, roaring ferociously.  This truly is a surprise attack. And here is the thing. Samson does not even have a weapon with him - not a bow and arrow, not a sling and stones, not a sword or knife – to defend himself.

Now that the scene has been set, here is the unfolding drama. As suddenly as the lion rushes to Samson, the Holy Spirit comes upon him. There are no gaps, no waiting and no time for Samson to even be afraid. Can you see it all? This scene, which spells defeat and death for Samson, is the way that spells victory and life for this servant of God. What human power can stand against the calculated, ambush of a ferocious roaring lion? Which human power, unprepared and unarmed, can defend himself, or herself against the evil one’s deadly ambush? This is but another demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit, which is unparalleled.

Peter’s description of the devil, the evil one, as a roaring lion, is most apt. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5: 8b. Evil, things which bring heavy, scary burdens in our lives, and the lives of our dear ones, sometimes comes upon us unexpectedly. We were not prepared for the doctor’s report, for we never saw this diagnosis coming. We were never prepared for the tragedy in the family, there was no warning whatsoever. Our marriage to me was not perfect, but we were making ends meet and making an effort, and now without even some notice, I’m out of a job and everything is so unbelievably impossible. I never envisioned that my life would come to this, where I would be left alone, with no one to help care for me, in my senior years.

This is life! Victoriously, however, let’s be encouraged with this truth, as gleaned from Samson. When we look at Samson in his attack, we see, not his art and skill, but that of the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who suddenly comes upon Samson and enables him to deal with the enemy that has come to destroy him. Without the Spirit’s added strength, Samson could not overcome a ferocious lion, a goat perhaps, but not a vicious young lion.

There are some enemies that you can easily and confidently handle, but the one you are dealing with at present, is beyond your skill, energy and expertise. I encourage you to look to the Holy Spirit and keep looking to Him. Our Heavenly Father is not about to let you, who cry-out to Him, be left to the wickedness of the enemy. As the hymn writer says, “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” Look to God! His ways and moves are not always visible to you, but He’s working. His Holy Spirit will enable you to be victorious over whatever your battle or battles are. Regardless of how impossible the odds are against you, turn hard to the Holy Spirit. Even if your faith is bruised and weak at the moment, come to Him as you are. God, the Holy Spirit, will show His power in you, so that you will not be taken down by the attacking, formidable enemy.

Just as Samson, through the Holy Spirit, took down his vicious enemy, against impossible odds, so too, the Holy Spirit will provide you with exactly what you need to overcome your present enemy.

There is absolutely nothing impossible for the Holy Spirit to accomplish in you. Just trust Him!