And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, ‘Although you are barren, having borne no children, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or to eat anything unclean, for you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor is to come on his head, for the boy shall be a naziriteto God from birth. It is he who shall begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.’
Judges 13:3-5
Strength is a curious thing.
Often confused with power, dominance, and the ability to control. There is a deeper, more hidden reality. This we learn from Samson.
He was called before birth, set apart by a vow, and entrusted with an extraordinary gift: the Spirit of the Lord would rush upon him, empowering him to accomplish the supernatural with his bare hands. He was the strongest man alive, yet his greatest weakness lay within.
He was undone by desires that consumed him. His insecurities left a hallow ache which he tended to with affirmation and purpose, given by others. He continuously sought after what would ultimately destroy him.
And so, the most haunting words of his story are these: “The Lord had left him.”
The gift, wasted.
The calling, ignored.
Samson spent the rest of his days weak, blind, bound in chains.
Yet, in his lowest and darkest moment, something began to grow—not just his hair, but his heart. His weakness became the fertile ground for surrender.
“Remember me,” he prayed. “Strengthen me just once more.”
In that moment of surrender, Samson discovered a strength far greater than his own—a strength that didn’t come from his body, but from his God.
True strength comes when we surrender to the One who is our source. Samson did more in his weakest moment, chained and broken, than he had ever done when he was free and “full of power.”
It’s easy to believe that strength comes from what we can do—what’s within our realm of control. When we feel weak, we are not without hope. The same Spirit that rushed upon Samson is with us today. The incomparable gift.
God will undoubtedly be glorified, especially in our weakness. It has never been merely about conquering our enemies or showcasing our strength. It has always been about His glory—how His gifts, entrusted to us, fulfill His purpose in ways we could never imagine on our own.
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