Samson & Delilah: Star Struggles, Daredevil Behavior

When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, 'Come up once more, for he has told me all his heart.' So the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand.

Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. And she said, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' So he awoke from his sleep, and said, 'I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!' But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.

Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.

Judges 16:18-21 (NKJV)

Samson's downfall and humiliation came from loving Delilah RECKLESSLY. In his B.D. (before Delilah) life, He acted in proud and defiant ways: behaviors reverent Jews would avoid.

But… he judged Israel for 20 years, and God blessed His exceptional strongman. He used the superhero’s exploits to further Israel's independence from the Philistines.

However, he had one wild-guy habit that propelled him to his dreadful capture: a bad habit he seemed to have outgrown (considering his decades on the bench).

It was recklessness: a take-the-grace-of-God-for-granted act.

In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted to take a risk, too. But when we dare the devil (in selfish or foolhardy ways), we’re daring God, too.

'Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you, and in their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered and said to him, 'It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God' ' (Luke 4:9-12).

'Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God... by requiring a sign of Him, or miracles to be done by Him' (Gill's Exposition of the Bible). Because God's miracles come in His will and timing… but certainly not our own.

We’re foolish to think He extends His grace if we won’t grow up--if we continue to act like wild-child teens.

Did Samson suffer a mid-life crisis?

Samson & Delilah: Star Struggles, Daredevil Behavior (Part 4)

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.