Judges 14

We have seen that childhood and background does not necessarily have to control what we do with our lives as adults.   Jephthah rose from his difficult background (i.e. having a mother who was a prostitute, being kicked out of his home by his brothers, etc) to become a judge and deliverer of Israel.   And in Judges 14, we see that Samson (despite his birth being promised by God, his calling to be a deliverer, his being set apart for God from birth as a Nazirite, and his experiencing the stirring of the Spirit in childhood) makes unwise choices in his life, living for himself, instead of for God.   So, these both show that we are able to rise from negative backgrounds; but also that there are no guarantees even when we have been given all the advantages of a positive background.   Our lives and outcome, while may be influenced and affected by our background, are not determined by it.   The choices in our lives can make a difference.

There were great expectations for Samson, based on Judges 13, but chp14 brings disappointment.   While God is Sovereign and still able to fulfill His Plans and Purposes IN SPITE OF Samson's unwise actions; it makes me wonder how differently things could've been and how much more could have been done for God, if Samson had instead sought to fulfill his calling and lived a life set apart for God - how much more effective Samson's life might have been. 

I must remember that He is the Potter and I am the Clay; and that when He has formed me, I should strive to be a useful vessel set apart for His service.