What Was Right...in His Own Eyes

Boundaries. From birth we seem to have boundaries of some kind....playpen, household rules, school rules, driving laws, curfews, and even the Bible gives us commandments and restrictions to live long upon the earth. We must live within these guidelines to stay on track in this life, but we have choices to make. God gave us the plan, not in an effort to steal our fun but to give us the fullness of life! Beth Moore said that He is not keeping us FROM something, but keeping us FOR something. God gave boundaries to the parents of Samson before he was even born. He was raising up a deliverer who would begin the process of freeing them, before they even asked for him. You see, God was done with the disobedient and fickle-hearted Israelites....He turned them over to the Philistines. But, the time had come to show them the overwhelming mercy and love of the God they had turned from.

Oh Samson.....where to begin? There was so much potential, the conditions were perfect for a spiritual superhero. His great physical strength was known throughout all of these parts, but they always were asking how he could physically do the things he did?? (Makes me wonder if he actually looked the way he was depicted in my children's Bible.) Unfortunately, his great moral weakness was also know throughout all of these parts, and it was used to bring him down. Twenty years of life was lived between the incident with the woman in Timnah, and the story of Samson with Delilah. Did Samson never learn? Was he that gullible? I wonder, do you ever feel that way? That you should have figured it out long ago? Thankfully, Samson finally did. At the end of his life, he recognized his dependence on God and asked one more time for the supernatural strength he once had. God heard the prayer of that repentant heart and the Bible says that Samson killed more Philistines on the last day of his life, than all the other days of his life combined! The Deliver had begun the deliverance.

Samson's purpose from birth (13:5) was to begin the deliverance of God's people. He grew up, seemingly spoiled and became physically strong but morally weak, and no accountability. He served his own flesh, mostly. We might even think he was a failure? But, we find that Samson is actually listed in the Hebrews Hall of Faith! One of those who "by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions....and in weakness was given strength." How amazing is our God! We can know the power of His work in us that He can use our imperfect lives to accomplish His will.

God is faithful to keep both the promise of blessing, and the promise of the curse. In Joshua's farewell speech, he told the people that if they followed God that "one man would chase a thousand"....but if they disobeyed, that the nations left among their tribes would "become snares and traps.....and thorns to their eyes." Sound like Samson? ....and Delilah? God knew. But, He isn't some lightning-throwing bully, searching the world over for anyone who may be having a good time and putting a stop to it. No! God cares about us and wants us to enjoy life! That's the reason for the rules! Let's aim to embrace the boundaries of the Lord, and not resent them. Live your life in such a way, that others are drawn to Him in you. Lift the Savior up, He is worthy!

"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." We can also learn from Micah in chapters 17 and 18 of Judges. Poor guy, you almost feel sorry for him? ...trying to make his Momma proud, he used the family silver (stolen, mind you) to make some little idols....even found a priest to live with him, well it was his son so he already lived with him....made an ephod, and even attempted to build a tabernacle and ark. If you're going to begin a religion, you must have all the stuff. Where did he go wrong? Well.....God says in those days that there was no king in Israel, and every man did what was right in his own eyes. Just like Samson, Micah was guilty of serving God on man's terms....when it was convenient, and how it was convenient for him. And, remember that tribe of Dan? ...Who was whining about not being able to chase out the Amorites alone? Well, they didn't trust God to fight for them, and they had been chased all the way up the mountain. They were run out of their "promised land" and were now bullying the little guys like Micah. Nevermind that Micah's gods couldn't save themselves, but the Danites thought they should take them as their own.

So the question is.........when the Lord returns, where will you be found worshiping Him? Will you try to find Him some other way than through Jesus Christ?