WEEKLY REFLECTION by Pastor Lap Dinh on ‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭28,30

“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭28‬ And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed outwards powerfully, so that the house fell on the governors and all the people who were in it. And the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he killed during his lifetime.”Judges 16:30> >

Samson in his pain/suffering, remembered the Lord and cried out asking to grant him super strength again for (a) personal vengeance on the Philistines regarding his two eyes; and then (b) personal sacrifice on bringing God's early will/plan/judgement on the Philistines. Did you see here the overarching theme? “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Do note that "everyone" is not the non-Israelites, but the very people of God, the Israelites. Now even in light of Jesus, we can see similar things that are happening. When religious/nominal/cultural Christians view God's grace through Jesus as cheap and live a lukewarm life, they suffer from their own sins by walking in the path like those in the world. Then they cry out to the Lord for a quick fix and tend to spiritualize their requests, whatever that maybe. They are spiritually blind (like Samson) or at least misunderstood God's plan/will. They tend to fuse in their personal agenda, saying, "Do this for me first, then let me die for you, Lord." Well, the Lord Jesus never asked His disciples to die for Him (not talking about martyrdom here), for none of them/us can be the savior of the world. The Lord Jesus wants His disciples/followers to live for Him to carry out His great commission till He comes backs. My prayer/hope is, we all need examine our prayer request to see if they are in line with God's plan/will to see if/when our actions/decisions reflect this: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). May it never be to those who love and follow Jesus Christ.