Judges 13:24-25
"So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Estaol."
Everyone remembers the tragic story of Samson. He is one born in a miraculous way, in answer to the prayers of a barren woman. Here is a young man and set aside to serve the Lord throughout all his days, and blessed of God in great physical strength. Even today, every little boy dreams of being as strong as Samson, ready to take on the world's enemies with super hero powers.
But Samson was also one who ultimately embraced sinful ways, turning his back on a life committed to God, only to return once again at the end of his life in a tragic death after suffering for his disobedience.
Four times we in Judges where the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson. These come almost always before Samson does some mighty deed as God's deliverer among the people of Dan. On this first time, notice the specific nature of the Spirit upon Samson. There can be no doubt of the place where the Spirit reached out and touched Samson's life. It was at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Estaol.
This always God's way with the coming of the Spirit. He comes upon us at a very specific time and place, sent of the Father at the request of the Son. The first time we experience the Spirit is when God begins to woo us to himself under conviction for our sins. This weighty, heavy hand of the Spirit upon us calls us to repentance before God, and ushers in salvation for everyone who believes.
With our salvation, God gives the Spirit as new life within every believer, converting the soul in rebirth and marking us as a people of the Lord, guaranteeing our inheritance through the ages with Christ.
Finally, the Spirit also moves on us as he did here with Samson. This is the coming of the Spirit in power, to be used of God to accomplish something in Christ's kingdom.
Notice there is no indication Samson sought this touch of the Spirit in his life. He didn't cry out for it in prayer or fasting; he didn't seek after the Spirit to bless some ministry dream; he didn't fall down before the Lord in humility until God blessed him with a display of his presence. Rather, it was in God's timing and place that the Spirit came upon Samson.
While every believer needs to be open to a touch of the Spirit's power, we should be content to leave that filling to Christ's time and place. Instead, our role is to be willing, prepared to be used of God, living in obedience to the Scriptures. Paul describes us as becoming a vessel fit for honor, a servant in the kingdom at the call of our Lord.
LORD JESUS
May I always be open to your presence, so as to know the moving of your Spirit upon me. May I humbly submit to your presence, following you in sacrificial ministry for your honor and glory. Amen.
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