Strength That Comes from God Alone

The True Source of Samson’s Strength

In the book of Judges, we are introduced to the life of Samson.  He was a man chosen by God for a specific purpose.  The part of the story that we most of us remember is when Deliah cuts off his hair and he loses all his power and strength.  

The Story of Samson

We start the story with a miracle.  Samson’s mother, was barren and the angel of the Lord appeared to her and said:

“You are barren, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. …You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb.  He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”  (Judges 13:2-5)

From birth God set him apart as a Nazirite. In Numbers 6. we read about the outward, visible commitments required under the Nazirite vow:

• abstaining from wine and any fermented drink,
• Avoiding all contact with the dead.
• Refraining from cuttings one’s hair.  

These three outwardly visible commitments represented a life consecrated, to God.  To be consecrated means to be set apart, devoted, and dedicated to the Lord for His purpose.  Samson’s life was meant to be lived in a manner that reflected this holy separation.

In the story of Samson, we read about Delilah cutting off his hair and immediately see all his power and strength disappear.  However, Samson’s hair was not the source of his strength. 

Samson’s uncut hair was an outward symbol of the Nazirite vow that he had lived under.  It was a visible symbol of a life set apart to God.  When it was cut off it became an outward sign that his set-apart dedication to God had been removed. 

God alone had always been the source of Samson’s strength.  Once the consecration had come to an end, the Lord’s presence was no longer upon him.   After his hair was shaved the Bible says:

“He did not know that the Lord had departed from him.”  (Judges 16:20)

After being captured his eyes were gouged out and he was imprisoned.  As he drew close to God during that time we see God’s mercy and his hair grew back, symbolizing a return to being set apart by God. 

Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me.  Please God strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.  (Judges 16:27).   God answered, granting him strength one last time to defeat the Philistines as the angel had told his parents, “He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5)

Lessons for New Covenant Believers

As Christians under the New Covenant, we are not under a Nazarite vow, nor do we have outward visible symbols showing that we are consecrated, and set apart for God’s purpose. Instead, our lives themselves are to become an offering to God. 

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”  (Romans 12:1)

Like Samson, our true strength and Godly purpose comes from God alone.

“Abide in Me, and I in you… for without Me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:4-5)

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