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A real life and death struggle
June 18, 2020
Judges 14
Here begin the true-life details of one of Israel’s most well-known judges, Samson. Well-known
for his passion for exacting judgment upon the ruling Philistine enemies with his feats of
incredible physical strength, but also for his passion for foreign women and his incredible lack of
moral strength. Our great fascination with Samson’s miraculous power, is often overshadowed
by our disappointment with his weaknesses and failures. Truth be told, however, in some ways
his story may not be that different from our own. While we must never minimize the seriousness
of sin and always see its repulsiveness as God sees it, neither should we minimize the great
power God desires to work through us. The same Spirit of the LORD who came upon Samson to
carry out His mission has come upon us to judge (discern) and stand against the works of
darkness in our day. Though we may have experienced some failures, God does not want us to
dwell on the past. We can certainly choose to live as though our eyes of faith have been gouged
out and allow the Enemy to deceive us into believing that we are in bondage again to the chains
of sin. God knows better and wants us to believe better. He asks us to fix our eyes of faith upon
Christ’s powerful righteousness in us as we plot to foil the Enemy’s scoffing accusations and
bring down his haunted house of lies. There are few things we can really count on in this world.
But, one thing we can totally bank on; and, that is that no believer in Jesus Christ needs to live
under the stranglehold of sin. By God’s abundant grace and the gift of Christ’s righteousness, we
shall reign over sin in this life (Rom. 5:17). Without a doubt, we are dead to sin’s power and
equally alive to Christ’s power. Isaiah spoke of the deliverance Christ offers, “The Spirit of the
Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the
meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the
opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isa. 61:1). There is no sin or addiction greater
than our God-given power to conquer it and no greater joy than to know with certainty that Jesus
Christ has given us absolute power over sin’s allurement and devastation. Flirting with sin
cannot bring true happiness. Freedom from sin can. God knows the gravity of this real life and
death struggle and has provided His sovereign authority over Satan’s sinful impositions. We can
count on it unreservedly.
Challenge: Jesus’ ability to have died willingly on the cross has given you the ability to die
willingly to sin. His ability to conquer death by the power of His resurrection gives you the
ability to be raised up to live in the power of His righteousness. The key is in whose ability you
operate. Your responsibility may be better stated as your response-to-His-ability. Live your days
resting in the awareness of His absolute power, and your failures will be few. Live trusting in
your strength and merits and your mistakes will be many. God has promised you all the power
you need to be all-victorious. That promise is golden. Claim it and apply it!
Prayer: What an amazing promise, Father, that the strength of sin has been rendered powerless,
and that the living righteousness of Christ in me is rendered all-powerful. Connect my heart and
mind entirely with this blessed assurance today and every day. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God’s blessings on your day!
Bluffton North Ministry Group
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