Rex Charles is pastor of Flora/Bringhurst United Methodist Churches. The Bible has a terminator, too - one much more destructive than Arnold Schwarzenegger. His name was Samson. A movie of his life would leave the death toll not in hundreds, but in thousands. And Samson didn't carry an M-60 machine gun. His most sophisticated weapon was a bone. He preferred tearing things apart with his bare hands. And he was very good at it.

What was the secret of Samson's strength? That was what everyone wanted to know, especially his enemies. Samson was a judge (an eliminator?), not a prophet. One of the qualities of Israel's judges was that they could punish Israel's enemies. This was to show that the Lord was real, and more powerful than another nation's false god.

Delilah weakened Samson by giving him a buzz cut. She could have accomplished the same thing by convincing him to drink wine. Either activity would sever his vow to God, which was called a Nazirite vow. Through the observance of this special vow, God gave Samson tremendous strength. When the vow broke, then down came Samson, cradle and all.

Can I have Samson's strength? Samson probably looked pretty buff, but he doesn't seem to have stood out in a crowd. And his enemies thought he could be tied up like an ordinary man. Today, we try to work out, and become as strong and healthy as we potentially can. Samson's strength could be ours, if, like Samson, we would use this strength as an opportunity to witness. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, and many other Christian athletes are examples of this. Colts coach Tony Dungy talks about his "quiet strength" he has received from the Lord.

Why is Samson's strength available? Because it comes from God, and not from our own efforts. It is available to anyone who is committed to Him through Jesus Christ. It comes from the same Spirit who gave it to Samson, David, Daniel, Paul, and Polycarp, and countless other victors who won in the name of the Lord. It can be yours today. Ask the God of all possibilities to give you His special power you need today.

Read the entire story about Samson in Judges 13-16.