Look to Jesus!

Based on Judges 16-18, Luke 7:1-30

"And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee."

"And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man." Judges 16:6‭, ‬16‭-‬17.

Samson gave Delilah many different answers (lies) about where his strength came from, but finally, he said it came from his hair, which was part of his covenant with God. While it's true that his uncut hair was a part of his covenant with God, that's NOT where his strength came from!

We get so wrapped up in looking to other sources of strength too...we can even become like Samson and say, "I do this or that for God, so that's why I'm a strong person." While God does honor us following His commands, the strength does not come from us! Our loving connection to God is what brings us strength. Samson's strength was taken when he fell in love with Delilah more than he was in love with God!

"And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." Judges 16:28.

At the time of his death, Samson wanted to be avenged for his two eyes, which the Philistines took which made him blind. In reality, Samson gave his eyes away long before they were plucked out by the Philistines! He looked away from God. He gave himself more credit than God. He forgot that the covenant started back in the womb of his mother, before he had any physical strength to begin with! But, in this last outcry to God, Samson did get one last bittersweet victory by crushing himself along with his enemies.

"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 17:6.

In the days following Samson, who did judge Israel for a time, there was no king. All did what was right in his own eyes...and oh, how deceptive things become when we look away from God! Each person has their own idea of right instead of looking to the Righteous One!

"When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."
Luke 7:20‭-‬23.

Keep your eyes on Jesus! Don't ever doubt His ability to do miracles in your own personal life. We don't look for another. We can't find it in any other, or in ourselves. It's all about the strength, power & everlasting glory of our GOD!