I was listening to the story of Samson the other day with my daughter. Isn’t it great to see any story in Scripture through the eyes of a child? That’s why I love sharing these stories with my daughter.
“Samson was a man supernaturally gifted by God with incredible strength”, I would tell her. “He lifted a heavy gate over his head and could even lift our van over his head! He really could!”
Here is what the Scripture mentions that Samson did:
“Then he (Samson) got up, took hold of the doors of the town gate, including the two posts, and lifted them up, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and carried them all the way to the top of the hill across from Hebron.” Judges 16:3 NLT
How much did this gate weigh? I’m guessing it was probably more than a minivan.
“Did that happen in our world,” Ellie would ask. “Yes, in our world.”
What about today? Could that sort of thing happen to you or I?
How sad it is when the stories of Scripture become so familiar that they lose their vitality and life. Sometimes we think, ‘Oh that was in Bible times so it doesn’t relate to me.’ Or, ‘That was a prophet or an apostle so we could never do what they did.’ But that kind of thinking isn’t what Scripture teaches us. It certainly isn’t what Jesus teaches us. What has happened to us? When did we lose our childlikeness and mystery? What did we trade our faith for and was it worth it?
Jesus himself said:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” John 14:12 NLT
Astounding words.
So, could you or I be gifted with supernatural strength like Samson?
Of course we can!
I know this because it happened to my brother!
Years ago my dad was working on a car in the driveway. A 2-ton (around 4,000 pounds!) car shifted and the jack slipped out while he was under it. My brother heard my dad yell as he was trapped beneath the car. He ran over and lifted the 2-ton car off of my dad and he was able to get out.
I suppose the reason I share this is to reiterate this point:
And, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” ~Jesus (Mark 9:23)
Are we going to believe him?
Daniel Lovett 