Day 94: Teach us, O Lord, how to raise this child

Today's Reading: Judges 13-15

Perhaps the most famous of all judges in scripture is Samson. His birth is prophesied by an angel of the LORD, he is born of a barren woman, and limited in his diet and grooming...sound familiar? Foreshadowing of John the Baptist?

An what is his parents' prayer?

Teach us, O Lord, how to raise this child.

This is the prayer of every parent at one time or another. We find ourselves struggling with parenthood, with the "gift" of the child given to us to raise.

And the Spirit of the Lord was upon him...especially when exposed to the pomp of parades and warfare. Like every young man, when he came of age, he found beauty in women especially tempting. Who does he fall for? A girl from the enemy nation, a Philistine woman. Against his parents urging, he bullheadedly runs forward toward his prize.

Teach us, O Lord, how to raise this child.

Here is a young man of promise who begins using his God given gifts for his own pleasure. A lion is slain, bets are made, jokes are played.

Teach us, O Lord, how to raise this child.

Samson trusts the wrong people, is betrayed by his wife, and has a hay day with foxes and torches, wreaking vengeance.

Teach us, O Lord, how to raise this child.

One begins to wonder if the angel of the LORD prophesied righteously and whether or not God was hearing the parents' prayer.

Teach us, O Lord, how to raise this child.

As our reading comes to a close today, the jury is still out. Samson is ruling, but not effectively. God is listening to this brash young man, but one wonders how long it will last.

And I wonder if the parents are still praying.

Teach us, O Lord, how to raise this child.