Bible Reading--Judges 6-16
Two of Israel's best known judges are covered in these chapters...Gideon and Samson. Gideon viewed himself as weak and "the least in his entire family", but God said, "Go with the strength you have." He was hesitant and asked the Lord for proof of His desire to use him, but he eventually did what God wanted and the Midianites were defeated.
Samson was blessed with unbelievable strength, but spent most of his time pursuing his own passions. He battled with the Philistines off and on for 20 years, but "he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime" when he caused the Philistine temple to collapse after being captured, blinded, and forced to grind grain.
These two men were quite different yet both were used by God. One seemed to exceed his potential and the other seemed to exemplify unfulfilled potential. I'm glad that the biblical accounts we have show these men as they really were. I don't rejoice in their weaknesses or failures, but it is assuring to know that I don't have to be perfect to be used by God.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. I Corinthians 1:27
Samson was blessed with unbelievable strength, but spent most of his time pursuing his own passions. He battled with the Philistines off and on for 20 years, but "he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime" when he caused the Philistine temple to collapse after being captured, blinded, and forced to grind grain.
These two men were quite different yet both were used by God. One seemed to exceed his potential and the other seemed to exemplify unfulfilled potential. I'm glad that the biblical accounts we have show these men as they really were. I don't rejoice in their weaknesses or failures, but it is assuring to know that I don't have to be perfect to be used by God.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. I Corinthians 1:27