Should Have Could Have. A Look at Samson part 1

Should Have, Could Have

A Look at Samson --Part 1

Dedication & Devotion

“Should have, could have, would have” are words familiar to all of us. They come up in situations where results fall short of potential. Maybe we’ve spoken these words about ourselves, others, or even objects, from time to time. But, it’s really sad when a person speaks these words at the end of their life. 

Samson was a man of incredible potential. He could have been the greatest judge in Israel’s history. He could have, should have, would have, but didn’t. As a result he suffered failures and set backs. There are at least three areas of frailty in Samson’s life that kept him from living up to his full potential. We will only discuses on t today. 

From the time Samson was born, he was dedicated to the Lord. He was a Nazarite, which means he was separated for service to God in a way that was apparent from his outward appearance and his lifestyle. His hair was to grow long, he was to stay away from all intoxicating drinks and even grapes and raisins, and he was not to touch any dead body or carcass. From the day he was born till the day he died, he was to be dedicated. And he was dedicated to his work. Time and again he overpowered the philistines. Yet, we don’t read of Samson expressing his love, worship, praise or even a sacrifice to the Lord. Although he remained dedicated to the task God called him to, there was no personal devotion to God. 

Only once before the day of his death do we see him pray a prayer after having overcome 1000 philistines with a donkey’s jawbone. (Jud 15:18-19a). He was thirsty and thought he was going to die of thirst, so he called on god. Almost like a three year old, “I’m thirsty, I want it now or I’m going to die, I need satisfaction.” God heard him an gave him a drink that day. It sounds like the prodigal son. (Luke 15;12). Essentially he was telling his dad, “I wish you were dead, but since you’re still alive, I want the goods now.” and the dad graciously gave them to him. It’s interesting that the man who was so dedicated to serving in the job God had given him, had no interest or time for a devotional life. 

Does this sound familiar? We can be dedicated to teaching Sunday school, leading our cell groups, or being involved in whatever ministry, yet have no devotional life. We go to God when we’re thirsty, when we need something but there is not real intimacy with the Lord. It is impossible to live up to our full potential in Christ without a devotional life. ( John 15;5).

You’ve probably heard this a hundred times, and agree that a daily devotional time with the Lord is vital. But here are some practical points on why and how to do it:

First, have a sincere desire to know God. Fellowship deepens a relationship. In order to get to know someone you have to spend time with them. It’s the same with god. Make it your number one ambition in life to know Christ. (Phil 3:8)

Second, have a circumcised heart. Circumcision means “a cutting away”. A circumcised heart is a heart that is willing to cut away the good, but unnecessary things that crowd out God. Having fun, relaxing or enjoying an activity is not evil, but it can crown God out if we let it. (1Cor 10;23).

Third, we must make time and persevere. You won’t find time to send with God, you have to make time. A person will ultimately do what they want to do. You need to stick with it. You can’t lose weight and firm your muscles by dieting and exercising once a week. Good results require time and effort and our motivation has to be our love for God. (1Tim 4:7-8)

Those  three were requirements for a devotional life. Now here are the essentials in spending time with Him:

First, we need to spend time reading the Word of God because it reveals who He is. Read to understand and make a personal application. Ask questions of things you don’t understand. The Bible may not give  us answers to questions like, “Where did Cain get his Wife?” but it does tell us everything we need to know in this life. 

Second, we need to find a quiet place and pray. Always include thanksgiving in your prayer. Be specific when you pray as opposed to praying for things in general. Use scriptures in your prayer. For example, you can pray (Eh 1:16-19) for someone. Psalm 122:6 says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. And there are many other scriptures you may find to use during prayer time. 

As we spend time with God several results will become evident in our live. We will become more forgiving because we have experience God’s forgiveness in our lives. We will become more forbearing with those we interact with on a regular basis. Forbearance takes more effort than just forgiving because those we live  with may offend us in the same way again and again. In becoming more forgiving and forbearing we will experience freedom from hurt, anger, resentment and bitterness. Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian Jewess who survived the concentration camps during the Nazi Holocaust said, “forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.” being free, we can experience the joy of the Lord. An abundant life begins with a devotional life. 

Samson did have  victory at the end of his life. He is named in the “Hall of Faith” (Heb 11:32-34). A change took place when he was broken and humbled and he was d different man. (Jud 16:28), 30a) . He was no longer concerned for his life making demands of God, but he was willing now to give his life to God and die dealing with the enemy. The prodigal was broken and humbled in the pig pen and he was willing to become a servant. You now there’s been a change when a person no longer demands the goods, but is willing to be a servant. They aren’t saying, “Let me live” but rather “Let me die to self because it’s not about me.” This can only happen when we spend time with God.