Under the influence

August 2, 2006

By Dan Turpin

Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstances.

— Bruce Barton

Samson, a great leader of the Jews, delivered Israel almost single-handedly from the oppression of the Philistines (Judges 13-16). Even though he was supernaturally empowered to do exploits in battle, he still found it necessary to call on the Lord to renew his strength. The heat of battle drains our physical and spiritual vigor.

In one battle Samson miraculously killed 1,000 Philistines, yet exhausted himself. In a moment of fatigued desperation he called on the Lord and prayed, “You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” (Judges 15:18, NIV). God responded and miraculously provided water for Samson.

As we empty ourselves in service for the Lord it is important that we call on Him and become energized through His power (Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 26:41). The good fight of faith creates needs in us that the Lord supplies as we draw close to Him (Philippians 4:19).

Someone has said when you have come to the edge of all that you know and are about to step out into the darkness, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught to fly. God is never far away from our faith in Him. He provided supernatural strength in the battles Samson fought, but He also took care of the small necessities that were critical for Samson’s success. There is no situation in life that is too big or too little for God to handle.

Mary McLeod Bethune said this, “Faith is the first factor in a life devoted to service. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.” Pamela Reeve said, “Faith is confidence in God’s faithfulness to me in an uncertain world, on an uncharted course, through an unknown future.”

So how do you maintain this level of faith when life threatens to overwhelm you? The secret is found in God’s unlimited reservoirs of faith offered through the Holy Spirit. When you run out of spiritual gas — don’t fret — fill up. The Bible says in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not be drunk with wine … but be filled with the Spirit” (NKJV). The Greek word for filled means to cram, to make full, to be abundant and overflowing. The word implies a continual and ongoing experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Samson had to call on God to take care of his needs during and after the battles he fought. We must constantly remain under the control of the Holy Spirit and live intoxicated with His influence. God often uses circumstances, those beyond our ability to manage, as opportunities to supply our needs. Nothing is impossible when we seek Him. Let us look to the Lord.

The Lord is an ever-present strength and there is nothing He won’t do for us. God’s power, supplied through His Spirit, is always present in proportion to the needs that arise in our lives (1 Peter 4:14).

Dan Turpin is senior pastor of West Coast Church (AG) in Englewood, Fla.