Like a seed growing into a tall tree, greatness is accomplished after years of growth and the gathering of strength.  God uses all our strengths to carry out good works and each person can excel in their calling to build up the whole body of Christ.

Reading today in Judges 13, the calling of Samson as judge is different from the other callings of judges thus far because the angel of the Lord appeared to his mother. She was given instructions to prepare for her son who would be the leader in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines (v. 5).

Samson’s father named Manoah was concerned for the future of his promised son so he prayed for how to bring up his son. The angel of the Lord appeared to Monoah and his wife to give them further instructions. When they offered a sacrifice, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame (v. 20). Manoah and his wife then realized that this angel of the Lord was God.

Samson was born and as he grew, the Lord blessed him. The Spirit of the Lord began to stir in him while he continued to grow. This confirms the Lord’s calling of Samson as judge. This amazing passage today gives us encouragement to our calling as we use our individual strengths for God’s glory. God thinks you are AWESOME so focus on what you can do because the combined talents of His people will accomplish things that seemed to be impossible.

This day with You Lord, we have studied about the parents of Samson who were instructed about bringing up Samson. We know about Samson’s great physical strength but today we have heard about the spiritual strength given to his parents. The Good News for us is that Christ makes us strong. Even in our worst of days, you have given us the strength to handle our concerns, doubts, and worries of today in order to take on the challenges of the future. Amen