Practical knowledge, everyday need of applied religion - don't be indifferent (Samson Judges 13-16)

I'm enjoying reflecting on my past and thinking about the future, looking for wisdom I'm reminded of this Rob Harbison study on Proverbs

Earlier this week I was listening to Bill Johnson, "Between ungrateful and grateful - indifference"

Indifferent gratitude is marked by a lack of investment.

• Treasure is where you're heart is 
• Buy that field 

Indifferent towards obedience will loose anointing (Samson) Judges 16:20, no clue God left him. 

• Didn't loose strength when hair cut but when he became indifferent. 
• I'm being casual with my vow of abstinence from sin? 
• Sometime we need "to know" but mostly we need a "NO!" 

Samson didn't lose his power when his hair was cut, he lost his power when he became indifferent. Sounds bold but is it true?

A) Miracle Baby: Samson was born by a promise into an oppressed society

• God's people doing evil, handed over to Philistine oppression for 40 years (Judges 13:1), Angel of LORD instructions + miracles + promises (Judges 13:2-7), Manoah believed, prayed "Yes LORD, give us more instruction" (8-25) God answered via Angel of God + wife + Samson + Spirit of the LORD
• Religious ideas: Careful/no alcoholic drink or forbidden food/dedicated to God, Nazirite (consecrated/separated Numbers 6:1-21) rescuer. Examples in Samuel, John the Baptist and Paul (Acts 18:18, 21:22-24)

B) Samson lives foolishly yet LORD's anointing is revealed in Power/Spirit and Thirsty-Prayer/Water

• Samson marries Philistine, parents object, LORD at work (kills lion, honey) 30 Philistine groomsmen (Judges 14:1-11)
• Samson riddle/bets 30 Philistines "one eats came something to eat, strong came sweet" 3 days (12-14)
• 4th day, "entice husband to explain or family dies", cries until 7th day explains riddle, Samson loses bet but kills others to pay debt, goes home - wife marries best man (15-20)
• Samson want wife, anger, catches 300 foxes and burns all the fields: wheat, vineyards olive groves (15:1-5)
• Philistines kill wife/father Samson vows revenge, killed many (6-8)
• Philistines retaliated against Judah, 3000 Judah conspire to turn Samson over (9-13)
• Philistines celebrate but Spirit of Lord on Samson, he kills 1000 with a bone, yet Samson boasts (14-17)
• Anointed ministry: Samson thirsty, cries to LORD, God caused water to gush, Samson judged 20 years Philistines dominated (18-20)
• Isn't this is what he's known for Judges 16:31, the 20 good years - Hebrews 11:32?

C) Samson falls into sin, love for Delilah and indifference to God ruins his life.

Life of Sin starts: Samson Philistine Gaza prostitute, sleeps till noon, plot to kill didn't work (16:1-3)

Unequally yoked marriage: Samson love Delilah, rules employ her to get secret (strength + capture) for 1100 silver pieces (4-6)

Relationship of deceit: Samson tells 3 lies (7 bowstrings, new, rope, 7 braids/fabric) that "make him weak as anyone" Delilah test them, tormented him nagging, sick to death (7-16)

• Lies, nagging, "sick to death"

Samson tells the truth "I was dedicated to God as Naririte from birth, shaved head strength leaves me" Delilah believes, lulled Samson to sleep... in this way she brought him down, his strength left him (17-19)

• Carries the name of God in vain (Indifferent to parents dedication, and God's call, 17)
• Strength left him while he was sleeping, his head in her lap, lulled to sleep (19)

...When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him. (Judges 16:20)

Principle: 

Sin makes us unaware that the power of God has left us, leaving us deceived and unable to shake ourselves free.

Application: 

What sin do I tolerate and prepend not to know is wrong? Where deception have I embraced from the world, my flesh or the devil? Since Jesus paid for my sin, when will I come to him for cleansing, forgiveness and new heart that understands how to live in freedom. 

Philistines captured him, gouged his eyes, Gaza chains, forced labor, hair grows back (21-22)

3000 Philistines, drunk festival, praised their god bring Samson to amuse at pillar (2-27)

D) End of life Samson prays for personal revenge and death, yet is honored for the good years.

• Samson prayed, revenge for eyes, "let me die with Philistines", killed more in death than life (28-30)
• Samson buried with family, known for the good 20 years (Judges 16:31, Judges 15:18-20)

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith" because it lists many Old Testament figures who demonstrated faith in God despite their human imperfections and moral failures. Samson is mentioned in verse 32: 

"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets" (Hebrews 11:32, NIV). 

It's been said that the author of Hebrews highlights Samson's faith, despite his many personal failings recorded in the Book of Judges (chapters 13-16), because his final actions demonstrated a reliance on God's strength. His inclusion serves as a reminder that God can work through imperfect people to accomplish His purposes and that redemption is available to those who turn to Him in faith. 

We see in Hebrews 12 follows that God disciplines those he loves and we follow Jesus whose blood speaks forgiveness not revenge, allulia.