Sharing Victory

"Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and behold, a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done." -Judges 14.5-6

Samson is going to Timnah and he is attacked by a lion. He has no weapon, not even a walking stick, but it doesn't matter. The Spirit of the Lord comes mightily upon him and he rips the lion apart with his bare hands. This is the first of three Biblical accounts I am aware of where men kill lions. One of them does it to rescue a sheep. One of them does it, apparently, just to see if he can in order to prove himself. Samson does it because he is attacked.

To kill a lion in Biblical times was no small feat. Again, I am only aware of three recorded instances where it happens. With the other two it is something that they share, it became sort of a rite of passage. But Samson keeps it to himself, he never tells anyone, not even his parents. This could be taken as a sign of humility, but I don't think that's the point.

Had Samson shared what had happened with his parents, they could have helped him to understand the reason for his birth. He had been born to deliver Israel, and now God has showed him the strength he has been given to accomplish the task. Had Samson shared his victory with those closest to him, it could have helped guide him towards his calling, but he keeps it to himself, and it becomes a snare to him.

Men, when you have victories what do you do with them? When your strength is unexpectedly challenged and you prevail what do you do? I don't think we should brag about it, flaunting it for the world to see. However, I do believe we need to share it with those closest to us. I believe the battles we fight help us to better understand who we are and what we are destined for.

It was no small feat to kill a lion, and the victories we have over the enemy, a roaring lion (1 Peter 5.8) are no small feat either. Don't brag about it, but don't keep it to yourself. Share your victories with those closes to you, seek their input and guidance. Allow your lion kills to be a rite of passage for you.

Let us be men who share our victories. Let us be men who are guided by them.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor