Samson seemed to have it all. His birth was nothing short of miraculous. His parents wanted to raise their son as God wanted. Dedicated to the LORD, he would be a leader of his people. And, he received special powers. But he was also arrogant, easily angered, and vengeful. And he had a weakness that would be his undoing. He was powerless in the presence of Philistine women. When face to face with his weakness, it was as if he had no brain. He told riddles and then put himself and his people at risk.

God gave Samson the power to kill the lion but that act led to his breaking the nazirite prohibition of touching a corpse or eating anything unclean. Somehow Samson would be remembered for what God could do through him – even through his faults and weakness. Maybe there is hope for us all.

If I may skip ahead a few chapters to 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul received these words from Jesus: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.