Samson

Sage Penner
Gary Peterson
The Bible as Literature
19 October 2014
Samson
The strongest man to walk the earth is now a symbol of fallen humanity. Once a pillar of power and strength, he now stands weak and helpless. Once a pillar of wisdom and justice, he now stands as a testimony of human ignorance and pride. Once a symbol of freedom, he now stands chained to his failed passions. Once a symbolic pillar of humanity working with the divine, he now stands as an example of the brokenness that results when we no longer put our faith and trust in God.
Samson was a pillar of God’s grace and power as long as he remained fixed on God. The moment he took his eyes off God, Satan was able to instigate his downfall. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a pillar is a firm upright support for a building or superstructure. Pillars are essential in keeping a building strong and safe. If the pillars of the building become weak and damage, the entire building could collapse.
As we journey through this life, God has given us pillars to assist us in remaining faithful and obedient Christians. These pillars are grounded in our sure foundation, Jesus Christ. As long as we remain trusting and with our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will remain standing firm through the Grace of Jesus. However, when we become distracted by the bright lights of the world, and become seduced by the empty promises man, like Samson we will fall. How ironic, that Samson, a broken and fallen pillar, was used to bring down the symbolic system of opposition to God.
In Judges 16:29-30, the Bible records that, “Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left.” And he pushed with all his might and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. (NKJV)
God has given his church fundamental principles or practices that are symbolic pillars that have kept us faithful and growing for over 150 years. These pillars, that derive their meaning and strength in Jesus, characterize our dependence on the one who sacrifice Himself on our behalf. Jesus not only gives meaning and significance to the pillars, He is the essence and cornerstone of the pillars of our faith.
“The cross of Christ is the central pillar on which hangs the "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (Acts of the Apostle) We are strong, as individuals and as a church, only through His grace and as we continue in a faithful relationship with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
It is important then that we embrace the pillars of principles and practice that God has given to His Church and people. Satan is attacking these pillars of our faith so he can weaken us and tear down the church. He wants to destroy us.
“I have the message from God; he has sent me with great light," and there is a removing of the landmarks, and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith,--then a more decided effort is made to exalt the false Sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God himself by supplanting the day he has blessed and sanctified. This false Sabbath is to be enforced by an oppressive law. Satan and his angels are wide-awake and intensely active, working with energy and perseverance through human instrumentalities to bring about his purpose of obliterating the knowledge of God. (An Appeal to Our Ministers and Conference Committees)
The foundation of our faith, which was established by so much prayer, such earnest searching of the Scriptures, was being taken down, pillar by pillar. Our faith was to have nothing to rest upon--the sanctuary was gone, the atonement was gone.--UL 152. (Pastoral Ministry)
The truths that have been substantiated by the manifest working of God are to stand fast. Let no one presume to move a pin or foundation-stone from the structure. Those who attempt to undermine the pillars of our faith are among those of whom the Bible says that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (Bible Training School)
The good news is that our relationship with Jesus makes it possible to joyously embrace the pillars. Just as important is that God is still leading His people through His Word and Holy Spirit. Every chapter and every verse of the Bible is a communication from God to men.... If studied and obeyed, it would lead God’s people, as the Israelites were led, by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. (How to Read the Bible as Literature)

As we joyously embrace the pillars of our faith we will rejoice in our relationship with Christ. We will give all praise to Jesus for dying on the cross of Calvary and provide for us the amazing gift of Salvation. As we joyously embrace the pillars of our faith we will without reservation acknowledge the Bible as God’s inspired Word. His word will become our guide, a “lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105) As we joyously embrace the pillars of our faith we will esteem the Spirit of Prophecy as God’s ordained avenue of communicating and leading His people. As we joyously embrace the pillars of our faith we will be humbled by the great sacrifice Christ made on our behalf, thus commit ourselves in the service to God and man. As we joyously embrace the pillars of our faith we will not turn our back on our Heritage, but instead take confidence how God has led us in the past, knowing that He will just as faithful in the future. As we joyously embrace the pillars of our faith we will continue to fix our eyes on Jesus as He intercedes on our behalf in the Most Holy Place. As we continue in a committed relationship with Him, and as we embraced the pillars of our faith, by grace we will rejoice knowing our sins are covered by His blood, and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
When Jesus should declares “It is finished,” and leaves the sanctuary, we can wait expectantly knowing that He is coming to take us home to glory. The good news today is that we can not only embrace the pillars of our faith, but can rest peacefully in a relationship with Him. We have the assurance that God will keep us from falling. He will keep us by His Grace strong and upright like a mighty pillar. Paul agrees as he assures us in Philippians 1:6 that we can walk in a faithful relationship with Jesus-“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The “day of Christ Jesus” is fast approaching, and I want to be ready for His coming.

Bibliography
Allee, John Gage. Webster 's Dictionary. New York: Galahad, 1975. Print.
The New King James Bible. N.p.: Thomas Nelson, 1979. Print.
Blunt, A. W. F. Acts of the Apostle. Oxford: Clarendon, 1931. Print.
White, Ellen Gould Harmon, and Ole Andres Olsen. An Appeal to Our Ministers and Conference Committees. S.l.: S.n., 1892. Print.
White, Ellen Gould Harmon. Pastoral Ministry. Silver Spring, MD: Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1995. Print.
Bible Training School. Sevierville, TN: Bible Training School, 1920. Print.
Ryken, Leland. How to Read the Bible as Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: Academie, 1984. Print.

Bibliography: Allee, John Gage. Webster 's Dictionary. New York: Galahad, 1975. Print. The New King James Bible. N.p.: Thomas Nelson, 1979. Print. Blunt, A. W. F. Acts of the Apostle. Oxford: Clarendon, 1931. Print. White, Ellen Gould Harmon, and Ole Andres Olsen. An Appeal to Our Ministers and Conference Committees. S.l.: S.n., 1892. Print. White, Ellen Gould Harmon. Pastoral Ministry. Silver Spring, MD: Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1995. Print. Bible Training School. Sevierville, TN: Bible Training School, 1920. Print. Ryken, Leland. How to Read the Bible as Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: Academie, 1984. Print.