So reads the famous "Hall of Faith" chapter in the New Testament - Hebrews 11. As I read this chapter the other day, most of the names fit comfortably in my idea of "faith." There was Abraham. Noah. Moses. Easy - they all had much faith.
But then my eyes stopped at a name I didn't expect to see in Hebrews 11: Samson.
Samson?
Is this the same Samson who blatantly defied his parents - and God? Is this the same Samson who chose a bride among the "uncircumcised Philistines" (Judges 14:3)? Is this the same Samson who left his God-given purpose for a woman? Is this the same Samson who foolishly gave away his 'secret' to the same woman who had betrayed him not once, not twice, but THREE times before? Is this the same Samson?
Yeah - that's the one.
Samson chose a wife, not by his parents' guidance or God's precepts, but because "she was right in Samson's eyes" (Judges 14:7).
Eventually, Samson's self-centered foolishness led to his downfall. His enemies, paid by his girlfriend, captured him, enslaved him, and blinded him by putting out his eyes. For some time Samson performed servile tasks for his captors.
But little by little, Samson's hair grew back. Day after monotonous day, it grew longer. Matthew Henry points out that the growth of Samson's hair was not so much a sign of his strength as it was a sign of God once again working through him. Samson was penitent of his past sins, and turned to the God who had orchestrated his entire life.
Then one day, the Philistines brought Samson out to gloat over him. At long last, they had captured the elusive and legendary Samson of the neighboring Israelites. Samson came out, led by the hand as his own eyes were no longer any good for him. At Samson's request, the young man leading him placed Samson's hands on the pillars that were upholding the building. Samson prayed to his God: and pushed hard on the pillars.
Thousands of Philistines died that day as they were having a good time and praising their god for delivering Samson to them.
I guess God had the last word.
Samson is only mentioned one more time in the Bible after his death in Judges 16. That one time is in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith.
Who would have thought that a stubborn and rebellious young man would be named as a man of great faith? God changed Samson's heart. Once Samson turned to God, he put his faith in the only One deserving of his trust. Once Samson's own eyes were out of the question, he saw what was right in God's eyes - and acted on it.
God can redeem the lowest sinner. And Samson could still follow God after refusing His leading for so long.
Just like Jonah still preached to Nineveh - after literally running away from God. Peter still led the disciples - after denying Christ three times. And who can forget Saul, who changed his name to Paul? He wrote nearly half of the books in the New Testament - after agreeing to the stoning of the first Christian martyr.
Every great man or woman of God is also a great sinner. "For all have sinned," Paul wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But God is a God of redemption, of saving that great sinner and making him or her a great servant of God. All of history shows God's redemption. All of our lives showcase His faithfulness.
Great men or women of faith are not great in and of themselves. They are great because they have placed their faith in a faithful God - and they know that He is worthy of that faith.
"Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God..."
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