Samson experienced a situation that is all too common today: "lust at first sight." Even though God had given Samson a wonderful skill, he was unable to control his emotions. The story begins with him asking his father to arrange a marriage for a Philistine woman he spotted. The father begs him to pick a wife from his own people, but Samson insists on the Philistine woman since she is attractive in his eyes. I'd call this idolatry. He believed that a specific form would provide him satisfaction.

Woman after woman, Samson never seemed to realize that true beauty is found within. However, as our text today illustrates, God exploited his spiritual frailty to defeat Israel's oppressors through physical might. God will have His way, regardless of our failings. We simply miss out on the eternal benefits of being faithful servants and the joy of working with the Holy Spirit.

The narrative of Samson spans so many chapters because mankind have faced the same challenge throughout history. An exposed heart that succumbs to passion will devastate a man's ministry. The Philistines eventually apprehended Samson and put out his eyes. That's intriguing because his eyes were the entry point for his condition. You could almost understand it as God's mercy. Remember Jesus' statement, "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off" (Mark 9:43). God may enable us to be afflicted in order to save our ministry. Many of God's workers share Jacob's limp.

Consider: What could Samson have accomplished with God's help if he had controlled his emotions? Is there something in your life preventing you from becoming all that God has called you to be?