I remember once reading about Samson, that he was able to be a judge of Israel because he was really actually good. He was truly doing everything that he did in the Bible out of a positive motivation, maybe some civil disobedience, maybe some undercover work to infiltrate the enemies, but certainly he was good. That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. How is Samson portrayed in the Bible? He breaks his vows. He is self-centered. He is greedy. When he gets in trouble he whines that God is abandoning him. He gets tired of his wife and gives her away. He wants her back. Whenever he sees a woman who is attractive to him he falls prey to his desires. Samson is not good. He, in fact, is sinful.
What's the hope here? God uses Samson to deliver Israel. He treats Samson with his favor. Samson, a man who is a lot like us, is a recipient of all sorts of undeserved favor, just like we are. Can we look at Samson and see that he acts in a sinful way? Sure we can. We can also look at ourselves and see that we act in a sinful way. Yet where sin abounds, grace abounds. We sinners have received grace upon grace from the hand of God. Lest we think we deserve it, we are able to see our sinfulness. God's grace is certainly an undeserved gift.
Thanks be to God.
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