Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge
Proverbs 12:1
Samson. What a nightmare! I mean, what would you do with him in your church? There he is, very young, very male, very tall, very strong, massively over-confident and charging around trying to pick a fight with Israel's enemies at all times. As some of you know, I do have the experience of dealing a bit with one zealous young giant, but my stepson was no enfant terrible and being a part of his life has been a very happy experience for me. However, if my wife had introduced me to Samson as a possible stepson, then the story of our relationship might have been very different and somewhat shorter. What if Samson arrived at m2o? Well, I can imagine all the mature male Christians visiting Samson en masse and giving him some heavy counselling. It would be just what he needed as well.
The good news for Samson though is that despite his unsavoury life, God will walk with him anyway. Despite his dubious reasons for marriage and lifelong weakness towards women, God will make his life part of the history of salvation. This is good news for us too, of course, in our individual weakness. However, Samson's life could have been different. He could have sought the counsel of older, wiser, Godly people and used his remarkable abilities differently. Who knows what may have happened then?
Our reading from Proverbs today speaks directly into Samson's situation giving direct advice on marriage and conduct. Proverbs is a much underused book in the life of the church, but gives timeless wisdom, teaching on how to live successfully God's way. Why would you want to have a DIY set of values, like Samson did, knocked up on the spot and full of holes, when you can live by the wisdom that God gives if only you are disciplined to seek it. If you have time today, read chapter 1 of Proverbs again and think for a while on achieving true wisdom.
Pray with me… Lord, you promise to those who believe in you that Rivers of Living Water will flow from their hearts. Give us the discipline and diligence to seek you and live by your word so that those streams of water will flow from our hearts. In Jesus' name. Amen
John Martin-Jones
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs11:29-12:7, Judges14:1-15&20, John7:14-44
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