Where’s the love?

As I read the story of Samson, several things strike me.

Unlike the other times in the books of Judges, the people weren’t crying out to God for help from the Philistines. There was no sign of repentance at all on their part.

Instead, it seems they were either content, or at the very least, resigned to being under the Philistines’ thumbs. (Judges 15:11).

Samson, while definitely not happy with the Philistines, shared many of the same characteristics of his people.

1. He did what was right in his own eyes (14:3, 14:7).

2. He prostituted himself spiritually by involving himself with idol worshipers. (14:1-3, 16:1, 16:4).

3. And he broke his vows of being holy or separated for God. (See Numbers 6, and then compare it to Samson’s actions in these chapters).

But the most striking thing was two women, who should have had no claim on Samson’s life at all, basically asking him the same question: “Where’s the love? Can you truly say that you love me?” (14:16, 16:15).

How often can the One who has all the claim on us in the world say the same thing to us?

We hold things back from him. We prostitute ourselves to our sin and lusts. And we’re content to live that way. Or we say, “Well, that’s just the way things are. It’s who I am.”

Can you imagine your husband or wife, hiding things from you, cheating on you, and when you confront them, saying to you, “It’s just the way things are. It’s who I am”?

He is our God, and we rightfully belong to him.

Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.

And I will be a Father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)