The Purpose of God

4 But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord-that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

Judges 14:4 (NKJV)

Four days ago we began looking at the parents of Samson, and how he came to be. We saw yesterday that they responded to the news of the birth of Samson by worshipping God, even when they had not seen any manifestation yet, but only because of the Word of God. Samson has been born, and in chapter 14 we see how his life begins to play out.

This man Samson decided to go down to Timnah, a Philistine territory and pick for himself a wife amongst them. He went back to his father to tell him to get the woman he saw as his wife. His parents kicked back asking if there were no women amongst the people of Israel. But Samson insists. The verse 4 helps us to see clearly that his desire was from the lord, and the purpose of that desire was to create an occasion to go against the Philistines.

Israel had lived under the rule of the Philistines for forty years, and Samson was God’s response for salvation when they cried out to Him. So, at this time in his life, he was getting a leading on how to fulfill his purpose of delivering Israel from the Philistines. But the means seemed unconventional and against the laws of Israel. Now it is important to note that, it was not the will of God for Samson to marry a Philistines because it is against the standard of his word to do that. But the purpose is to create an avenue for Samson to stand against the Philistines. Although, Samson would later abuse this, because when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. The purpose of that feeling toward a Philistine was God’s way of creating an opportunity to defeat them, and not to marry them.

Therefore, it is important that we live life with purpose and glorify God. Not everyone is going to approach everything conventionally or according to the status quo, as long as they are not violating the standards of God. The goal is that the purposes of God are fulfilled in our lives. The caution here is to not wander in unconventional means within actually knowing the purpose of God for taking that route, so you do not become a victim of that process. But in all, do your very best to ensure that you are in the purpose of God and that you obey Him to the very end.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I know that I cannot put you in a box. Help me to see the way you are leading me to achieve your purposes in my life. Help me not to get carried away along the way, but to be steadfast and holding onto faith till the end.