I'm so excited that you are reading this, because I believe that within you, if you are a follower of Christ, there is a potential of supernatural greatness. I believe that God is going to raise up some spiritual leaders that will make a tremendous difference in this world.
And the reality is that it's so important because, historically, there's often been a shortage of godly men. In fact, God said in Ezekiel 22:30: "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it but I found none."
Zero, not one; not one man who would stand in the gap! Perhaps if God were speaking that verse today, He would say:
"I'm looking for a man with integrity; I'm looking for a man of courage; I'm looking for a man who will stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves; I'm looking for a man who would lay down his life to serve his bride as Christ laid down His to serve the church. I'm looking for a man who would impart spiritual truth to the next generation. I'm looking for a man who would stand in the gap."
And I believe with all of my heart, if God looked for such a man in Benton County, He wouldn't find none, but He would find many. I believe that God would find some whose heart beats only for Him.
In fact, years ago there was a guy named Henry Varley, who said to D.L. Moody, "The world has yet to see what God can do through one man whose heart is totally surrendered unto Him."
And Moody declared what I pray you will declare: "I will be that man! If God is looking for men of integrity of honor and courage and faithfulness, I will be such a man."
Samson's accomplishments are legendary. At the same time, so are his weaknesses. In fact, he's like a lot of us. Samson had so much God-given potential; and yet, again and again he made bad decisions and self-destructed. God had given him, just like you, so much potential for righteousness and kingdom movement; and yet, again and again, he made poor decisions. In fact, if I would summarize his life with one statement, here is the summary in one statement: Samson was an incredibly strong man with a dangerously weak will.
He had so much potential for greatness, and yet again and again he squandered that potential with stupid living. Samson's life shows us three very specific attitudes that make strong people weak. They are: Lust, Entitlement and Pride.
But, if you fast forward to the end of Samson's life, we see God's Spirit strengthening him. Even with his mistakes, God still was able to use Him. If you have failed at some point in your life, that doesn't mean God can't use you in a powerful way.
You can be a man of courage, you can be a man with spiritual strength, you can be a man who defends those who are defenseless, you can be a godly husband, you can be a godly dad. No matter what's happened in the past, you can be that if you'll stop trying to be strong in your own strength. Because here's the deal, our spiritual enemy, Satan, he loves to make strong people weak, but our good God loves to make weak people strong! And our God is with you and our God is for you!
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Editor's note: David Austin is the pastor of The Ridge Community Church in Pea Ridge. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Religion on 08/13/2014