Stronger-Than-Yesterday #2

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 Eshtaol.
Judges 13:24-25

Previously... on Stronger-Than-Yesterday... We see the story of Samson and we see two types of strength that we need to have: the outer and inner strength. Today, we will look at Samson again and we find two types of strengths again: the strength of man and the strength of God.

When Samson started out, God "move upon him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol". Despite the fact that Samson was anointed with strength to be a deliverer, he used that strength to his own benefit and believed on his own strength, more than God's strength. Important lesson: Even though we may be anointed with gifts in our life, we must remember the source of our gifts and strengths.

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:40

Compare this to our Lord Jesus Christ. He started out similar to Samson but He learnt to grow in his strength in God. He learnt to depend on God more than Himself. In so many situations, He would separate Himself from the crowd just to pray and get strength from above. In His life, we see that the strength of God is more important than his own.

Key lesson of today: Always relinquish your own strength and return to the strength of God.

Though Samson's story was one of tragedy as he depended on himself, we can take comfort in the fact that he ended well and was honored as one of the heroes of faith. He humbled himself, returned to God and depended on Him for strength.

Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, "O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!"
Judges 16:28

In the same way interestingly, we see Jesus returning to the strength of God at the last moments of His life.

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:46

As we see earlier, Jesus "grew and became strong in spirit". His spirit represents His strength and life. So when Jesus cried out "into Your hands I commit My spirit", it is as though He said "I've come to the end of my strength. Father, now come and take over."

Always remember, your strength is limited. God's strength is limitless. That's why the bible says:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

So the big question/s right now is this:
- Do you depend on your own strength more than God's strength?
- Have you reached a cap or "limit" in your life?
- If you have, what are you doing to receive the strength of God today?

Let's all become 昨日の自分より強く... Stronger than the you of yesterday!!!