Scripture to Read: Judges 15:9–20
The Philistines decided they had had enough of Samson and so they sent an army to kill him. They camped against Judah and the men of Judah asked the Philistines why they had come against them. The Philistines let the men of Judah know that they had come for Samson. So, 3,000 men of Judah went to Samson and told him they had come to bind him and to turn him over to the Philistines. Samson was willing to surrender himself. When the men of Judah brought Samson to the Philistines, the Philistines shouted as if to say, “We will conquer Samson,” but God had different plans. We read in Judges 15:14–15, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands. 15 He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it.” God used Samson in a miraculous way to defeat the Philistines again. God used Samson as a judge over Israel for twenty years. We face spiritual battles daily and sometimes they feel overwhelming, as if we’re outnumbered, but God has already given us His Holy Spirit and His Word to guide us into daily victory (Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Peter 1:3–10). Samson knew the strength God provided him. We must never lose sight of the strength He’s given us. No matter how we may feel, we must trust His Truth and walk in it to overcome.
Challenge & Application
Why did the Philistines think they were about to be victorious over Samson and why were they defeated?
How can we enjoy daily victory over the battles we face each day? (See Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Peter 1:3–10 for help.)
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!