Jump Start # 794

Hebrews 11:32 “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David ad Samuel and the prophets”

I sat in a class about Samson. My good friend, Josh did a great job of explaining the beginning of Samson’s life. Samson is a complex person and hard to figure out. He loved riddles and he loved Philistine women. His mistakes seem huge, such as keeping company with harlots. Yet, we find him listed in Hebrews 11, God’s chapter of heroes, as one who gained approval. The listing of Samson’s name in Hebrews 11 teaches us some valuable lessons.

First, most of us would not have included Samson in that list. We tend to remember the mistakes people make. But once we open that door, who would we include? Abraham lied and laughed at God. Noah got drunk. David committed adultery. Rahab wasn’t even from Israel and she is forever known, not as Rahab, but as Rahab the HARLOT. Jephthah made a rash vow that led to the sacrifice of his daughter. Everyone in Hebrews 11 had a past. They all had sins.

Second, we have a hard time not demanding perfection in others. Samson’s name in Hebrews 11 concerns us because he doesn’t seem to be a great example. In others, we have little tolerance for mistakes. We are quick to fire the preacher who made a mistake. We are ready to toss the elder who fumbled the ball. God doesn’t do that. God looks upon the heart, offers grace and forgiveness. These heroes lived by faith. They used faith in unbelievable circumstances, Samson included. Their approval does not come from being perfect, but being people of faith. Sometimes we can be hard on others because of their mistakes. It is easier to stand with the prodigal’s older brother, angry, refusing to go in to the house and participate than it is to be the forgiving father who rushes out to the prodigal to forgive and accept. Finger pointing at the mistakes of others is easy. Some even remember how many times a young person has messed up and tried to make things right. The media loves to show the failures of the famous. We get caught up in that and have a difficult time with those things. A Samson in our churches today would create more fear than rejoicing with many of us.

Third, it’s hard to see ourselves in the same category as others who make mistakes and sins. We tend to soften our failures while demanding the best out of others. If we spent as much time looking at ourselves as we do others, we would be better off. This has to do with judging. The headlights of the car coming at you always seem more glaring than your own. It’s easy to run through the names of Hebrews 11 and do a quick check list of all their failures. But do I do the same for myself? Do I cut myself more slack than I do the heroes of Hebrews 11?

Fourth, if we were making a list of Hebrews 11, we’d probably come up with different names.  There are some names that surprise us, such as Rahab and Samson. There are some names missing that also may surprise us. The first man, Adam, not there. The first high priest, Aaron, not there. The first king of Israel, Saul, not there. The first temple builder, Solomon, not there.  It’s not a fair conclusion to make that only the names found in Hebrews 11 represent the those from the Old Testament who will be in Heaven. This is not a complete list. These names are given as examples of those who endured tremendous suffering and overcame by their faith in God. These names are given as a lesson for the Christians who were suffering.

All of this reminds us that God’s list is often not my list. God is merciful, fair and just. I tend to favor my favorites. God knows the heart. I tend to be impressed by the outside impressions. God knows. I guess. Is it fair then to think that Heaven may be the same? There may be some that I think or even want to be in Heaven that may not be there. And there may be some that I think, no way, and they are there. If I can’t get the list in Hebrews 11 right, how can I get the roll in Heaven right. Maybe I ought to just leave that to God and not concern myself about who is and who is not going to be in Heaven. Maybe I ought to just spend my time working on myself and teaching God’s word to all. God will take care of Heaven. There is no one more fair and just than God. We do know that God wants us to follow His will. I need to do that. Just because I love mamma or a famous singer or the president doesn’t mean they will be in Heaven. God determines that. I need to make sure I’m walking by faith.

The Hebrews 11 examples were people, like you and I, who made choices every day, and their choices included God. They chose to live by faith. They chose to go God’s way in their world when most didn’t. They chose to believe. They chose to do what is right. They made mistakes, just as we do. They didn’t quit.

Samson’s life ends with him praying to God to use him one more time in the way God chose him—as a judge and deliverer for Israel. Blind, bald and bound, Samson did not give up on God, and neither should we. Our sins can cripple us to the point that we no longer believe that God wants us, loves us or will forgive us. Maybe that’s one reason why a Samson is in Hebrews 11. Many of us stumble along this journey with God. Some are walking so smoothly and so much in step with God that the rest of us think we might as well quit and go home. We stumble. We fail. We fall hard. We mirror Samson. Yet there remains hope. God hasn’t given up. The Samsons also gain approval through their faith in God. This is good news for us!

We need to be reminded of these truths. We love lists. The greatest movies, the best restaurants, the hottest stocks, the number one team in the standings…we love lists. Sometimes our lists might include who we think ought to be in Heaven. Be careful. You might be surprised. Above all, don’t think that you’ll be there just because you are a hotshot. It’s by faith that you will be there. It’s the only hope we have.

Roger