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Samson, the famous strong man of the Bible, made plenty of mistakes early on in his life (see Judges 13-16). His problems tended to revolve around women. He was a strong man physically, but a weak man morally. He struggled with pride, sexual temptation, and anger. He failed to listen to his parents when they urged him not to select a wife from their enemies the Philistines. He disobeyed God in marrying a foreign woman and at times failed to keep his Nazarite vow. His failures cost him his Philistine bride as she was given to his friend. This wedding fiasco set off a series of attacks between the Philistines and Samson. Samson ends the dispute by killing 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. After this Samson called upon the Lord because of his great thirst. The Lord answered and Samson was revived. Then the Bible says that he judged Israel for 20 years. This is a summary of the entire judgeship of Samson, but it seems that the inspired writer possibly inserts it hear to say that things went well for a long time. Samson did good for a number of years. This closes out chapter 15.
Chapter 16 begins with this statement, “One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute.” Gaza was the southern most Philistine city. It was roughly some 25 miles from his hometown of Zorah. This was “one day” that changed his life forever. What caused him to wake up that day and decide to go far into enemy territory and get a prostitute. It is estimated that it takes about 56,250 steps to walk 25 miles. He had 56,250 opportunities to stop. Every step was a choice to continue down his sinful path.
It reminds us of David, who should have been out with his army fighting, but “one evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace.” His little nighttime stroll led to his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).
How do people, who seem to have life going along so nicely, end up in misery and pain? It is pretty easy actually. It only takes “one day” or “one evening.” It only takes one choice. Samson could have stopped anytime, but for some fleshly reason he kept walking. David could have returned to his bed, but he sent for Bathsheba. It just takes one choice to ruin your life and set you on a path of sin and destruction.
Beware! You are not far from sin! You are not far from ruining your life. You are one choice away. You are not stronger than Samson! You don’t have a heart better than David! You can fall just like they did.
Don’t be telling your own story years from now with regret in your heart and begin it with “one day” or “one evening.”
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Idea taken for article came from Fight by Craig Groeschel (p. 93-102)
