Judges 16:23-31

So we come to the finale of Samson’s life here in chapter 16. He truly believed that he was able to accomplish everything because of his own strength and abilities.
 
Essentially, he was blinded by pride and self-deceit. Samson assumed he’d never lose his strength and we never see Samson acknowledging God or giving glory to God in anyway. He didn’t realize that His strength, and gifts, and the opportunity to be a judge was all because of God.
 
The one who had been so strong was now being humiliated; this was probably the lowest point in his life. And I believe that it was in his most lonely and vulnerable moment; at the lowest and weakest point in his life when he experienced the grace of God for the very first time.
Samson asked the young man that was helping him stand to help him find the two pillars, so he could rest. And this is where we may begin to see a change in Samson.
Something had changed.
 
Now he turns to the Lord. He recognized God as the source of his strength. Ultimately, Samson’s identity—everything that made him Samson—was found in God; not in himself, not in his muscles, and not in his hair.
 
Samson for maybe the first time in his life or at least in a very long time, submits to the Lord.
Samson was a pleasure seeking, revenge focused, ego maniac, and God changed his heart. Like the thief on the cross, the Apostle Paul, me, you, and the millions of people since, God transformed this lost, rebellious soul into a child of God.
 
Prayer: Father God, thank you that your mercies are new every morning despite our betrayal and disobedience. Please help us to not be so self-reliant and independent, but to find our purpose and identity in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.