Power From Above
Today’s scripture selection: Judges 12-16
Key verses: Judges 14:5-7
There are some biblical characters that are so memorable that even those who know little about the faith know about them. Samson is one such man.
Ask about Samson and you are likely to hear some vague recollection of a sort of biblical Arnold Schwarzenegger. Samson was the original tough guy – the kind that could put John Wayne or Clint Eastwood to shame. Everybody knows about Samson’s legendary strength.
What most don’t think about, or even know, is that the Bible makes it clear from where that legendary strength came:
“…and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him.”
The source of Samson’s great power – sometimes used for righteous purposes; sometimes sorely misused – was God.
As much as the book of Judges likes to tell of mighty warriors, it’s main purpose is much more than just to impress people with dramatic tales. It’s to remind us, in no uncertain terms, that people who aligned with God’s purposes have an extraordinary resource available to them; and those who out of alignment – well, their eventual doom is certain.
Even if it seems at times like the wrong characters have the upper hand, eventually those who can call upon the “Spirit of the Lord” will prevail.
So, you may not think you are a heavyweight like Samson or Arnold Schwarzenegger. You may think the Duke, or Clint Eastwood, have all the fast moves. But don’t forget – a little prayer – and you can find extraordinary strength as well.
Just remember – it doesn’t come from inside you – it comes from God. And nobody beats Him.
Prayer: Almighty God, I praise you and acknowledge your incomparable strength. May I apply that strength to my daily calling, for your glory. AMEN.
By Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
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