I’m a sucker for happy endings. Don’t really care much for movies that end without the guy getting the girl, without the wrongs being made right, without good triumphing over evil. So, while I’d like to think that Samson “got it” at the end, I’m not sure he did.

Reading in Judges 16 it seems that Samson had finally found “true love” with the woman he was with. While the others were women who caught his eye (Judges 14:3,7; 16:1) — relationships that might be thought of more as “true lust” — this was a gal who had captured his heart (Judges 16:15, 17). Had she been “the one” maybe there might have been a happier ending. But she wasn’t. For her eyes were on the gold — well, actually the silver (Judges 16:5) — and her heart was far from him. So, Samson gives away his heart, she cuts away his hair, and the Philistines gouge out his eyes (Judges 16:17-21). Heavy sigh!

But wait, the final credits haven’t run yet. Maybe there’s still time for a great turnaround to come in this epic tale of Samson’s life. Perhaps a reason to walk out of the theater with a bounce in your step.

Keep reading and a packed house of Philistine revelers have gathered “to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god.” Impetuously, they call for the blinded Samson to be their halftime entertainment. And Samson does something that we’ve not seen Samson yet do — he prays.

Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.”

(Judges 16:28 ESV)

That Samson prayed? Good, really good. What Samson prayed? I don’t know. Avenge my eyes? Really?

No sense of mission. No sense of contrition. Just an apparent desire for retaliation, to be avenged for my two eyes. Wanting revenge for the two eyes that had got him into so much trouble throughout his life. Eyes that had repeatedly directed him in what seemed right to them, blind to the God who had set Samson apart for Himself. Eyes not cast on things above. Eyes which, using Jesus’ language, were “bad.” And thus, according to Jesus, as the eyes are the “lamp of the body”, caused Samson’s entire being to be “full of darkness” (Mt. 6:22-23). The physical darkness he now lived in was but a type of the spiritual darkness he had walked in since being set part for God. But Samson prayed for his eyes. Those bad eyes, those lustful eyes, those straying eyes. That those eyes would be avenged. Really?

Yet, God answers Samson’s prayer. He remembers Samson as Samson asked to be remembered. He strengthens Samson as Samson asked to be strengthened. But to avenge Samson’s loss? I don’t think so. For while Samson may have still been trying to do what was right in his own eyes this prayer too “was from the LORD, for He was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines” (Judges 14:4). God graciously responds to Samson’s faith — though but a mustard seed and perhaps a bit misplaced — in order for God to accomplish what He had determined to accomplish.

Another morning where I’m chewing on the story of Samson. Another morning where it’s impressed upon me that God’s grace has nothing to do with my goodness. That God’s grace is independent of how much I “get it.” But that God’s willingness to answer even my most feeble prayer is ultimately for God’s final purposes. That God’s unmerited provision always comes in the context of God’s unfailing promises. That while His grace is certainly for our good, it is ultimately for His glory.

So, maybe this is a happy ending after all. Samson’s fickle faith over-matched by God’s amazing grace.

Really!

To God be the glory!