Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. Judges 15:19
We know Samson from his failures. He married outside his faith community, against his parents’ wishes; he sought the company of prostitutes; he revealed God’s secret to his strength. However, God listed Samson in the hall of faith (Heb. 11:32). Why does God commend his faith?
Samson’s birth was miraculous (Judges 13:3). His mother had been barren, and when God gave her a son, she named him “Samson” which means “little son.” There are only seven miraculous birth stories in all scripture. Of course, Jesus Christ is one of them. In what other ways is Samson a picture of the coming Son?
Like Jesus, Samson was faithful to God’s plan for his life. The angel who announced the coming birth said that Samson should not cut his hair, and that he would begin to deliver Israel from the hands of their enemy (Judges 13:5). Samson never did cut his hair. Delilah did that. True to his mission, Samson troubled the Philistines again and again so that they hated him and sought to capture him.
The nation of Israel had not repented or asked God for deliverance from their enemies. Yet in His Mercy, God sent them a deliverer anyway. Samson foreshadows Jesus, our Deliverer. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).
Samson battled alone to take back what the enemy had stolen. Just like Jesus, his own people turned him over to the enemy (Judges 15:12-13). Samson fought and killed 3000 Philistines by himself. Obviously, God was with him via his supernatural strength. However, none of his people stood with him.
Afterward Samson was so thirsty he thought that he might die. Yet none of his people even offered him a cup of cold water. So, Samson prayed. God revived him with a supernatural supply of water (Judges 15:19).
Are you encouraged by this? I am!
Even if your people turn you over to the enemy, and you stand alone, God is with you. When you have lost your strength and you are all alone, God answers your prayers. He revives your spirit and strengthens you. I love this!
Even in his love for his betrayer Delilah, Samson is a picture of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew word translated “love” (Strong’s number 157) is the same one used in “love God and love others.” This love implies devotion and commitment. Samson was committed to her even though she betrayed him again and again. He continued to be devoted to her, even when doing so led to his death. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NIV).
My eyes are opened to see Samson, the little son, in a new light. God calls him “faithful.” I am encouraged that despite my failures, God can still call me “faithful.”