God’s Power Beats Willpower Every Time | Judges 14:5-6

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Bill McKenna from Allentown, PA. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God’s Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Judges 14:5-6

Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. — Judges 14:5-6

Picture the scene: Samson’s on his way to Timnah, strolling through a vineyard, when suddenly a lion leaps out with a roar. A man barehanded against a lion? Not a fair fight. But here’s the game-changer: “The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him.”

Samson’s strength wasn’t in his biceps. It wasn’t in his willpower. It was the Spirit of God filling him, empowering him to do what no man could do alone.

Here’s what you need to know today: you are weaker than you think, but God’s Spirit is stronger than you imagine.

We face lions of our own—temptation, fear, depression, conflict at work, struggles in marriage. And most of us try to muscle through with grit, discipline, or positivity. But raw willpower always runs out. God never meant for you to fight alone.

What made Samson different wasn’t his muscles—it was God’s might. And that same Spirit now lives in every believer. It lives in you. You might feel weak. But weakness is the very place where God shows his might. Trust his power not your willpower.

ASK THIS:

Where are you trying to face life’s lions in your own strength?
When was the last time you leaned on God’s Spirit instead of willpower?
What might change if you truly believed the Spirit lives in you?
How do you need to invite the Spirit into your battles today?
DO THIS:
Identify one “lion” you’re facing this week.
Stop and pray specifically: “Holy Spirit, fill me for this battle.”
Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 and commit it to memory.
Each morning this week, start your day by declaring, “I fight with the Spirit, not my strength.”
PRAY THIS:
Holy Spirit, I admit I’m weak on my own. Fill me with Your power today. Help me face the lions in my life with the strength that only comes from You. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
“Same Power.”