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In Order. Being Mighty

April 4, 2017. Judges 13-15

Being Mighty

Because of their evil in the sight of the Lord, the children of Israel had been delivered into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.  Forty years of God’s people being dominated by someone other than the Lord.  Well, the time has come for the Lord to begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, out of this domination.  This deliverance is going to be through a man named Samson.  How it will be done, is found in a phrase used four times in these three chapters.  Once in chapter 13, twice in chapter 14 and once in chapter 15, “the Spirit of the LORD.”

Judges 13:25  And the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon him (Samson) at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Judges 14:6  And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

Judges 14:19  Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle.

Judges 15:14  When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands.

After the Spirit of the LORD began to move upon Samson, three times we are told how the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon Samson.  Each time the purpose was, do something to the Philistines, to break their domination of the Lord’s people.

We look at the events, when the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon Samson, and wonder what that must have been like.  Christians do not have to wonder.  What happened to Samson is the same thing that happens to Christians when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.

When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells with us. Then come those moments like:

Acts 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 13:52  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (following their bold speech that brought persecution)

Various times occur in our Christian walk when the Holy Spirit fills us with what He desires for us to boldly say or do, in that very moment.  When we do whatever He has “filled” us to do, it is bold, mighty and will help others. And there is the added “bonus” of being filled with joy.

Robert McClendon

Bob McClendon grew up in Pennsylvania, spent most of his adulthood in Colorado, and is now ready to learn how to be a Texan. He married his high school sweetheart, Tracy, in 1975. They have two...more