19th.: Samson, “Where’s the Water?”
The Lord made Manoah’s son, Samson, a ‘deliverer’ for Israel (Judg. 13:5).
The Lord used Samson to fight for Israel.
In this way, the Lord began delivering Israel from Philistine rule.
Samson was particularly known for immense strength.
But to keep this strength, he had to keep his hair long (Judges 16:17).
Several times, it was written, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him” followed by some amazing feat (e.g. 14:6, 14:19, 15:14).
After one battle, where he defeated 1000 men at one time, in hand-to-hand combat,
Samson called on the Lord and said,
“Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant,
and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?” (Judges 15:18b).
Even though Samson asked in a round-about way,
God provided a source of water for him (Judge 15:19).
Samson knew who actually won the battle - not himself, but the Lord.
However, in the second half of his prayer, he complained that God did not have an immediate supply of water, as soon as the battle was over.
Nevertheless, once, he asked for water, God provided it for him.
How often do we complain about God’s seeming lack of provision?
But once we ask, God provides.
Then again, how often do we complain about God’s lack of provision, but we did not ask.
“Ask and it shall be given you.” (Matt. 7:7a)