Don’t Confuse God’s Power with His Approval | Judges 14:19-20

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

Today’s shout-out goes to George Truesdale from Cocoa Beach, FL. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God’s Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Judges 14:19-20

And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty men of the town and took their spoil and gave the garments to those who had told the riddle. In hot anger he went back to his father’s house. And Samson’s wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man. — Judges 14:19-20

Samson is furious. He’s lost his bet, been manipulated by his wife, and humiliated in front of his enemies. In rage, he storms down to Ashkelon and kills thirty men to settle the score. And here’s the shocking part—the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon him.

This is where it gets tricky. God still used Samson’s actions to confront Israel’s enemies. But Samson’s heart was in the wrong place—driven by anger, not obedience. He would confuse God’s power with God’s approval.

Just because God uses you doesn’t mean he approves of how you’re living.

This is a hard pill to swallow. A sermon can land even if the preacher’s hiding sin. A business deal can succeed even if corners were cut. A gift can look fruitful while the heart is far from God. Power and results don’t always equal God’s pleasure.

Samson’s story warns us—God’s calling is irrevocable, but his approval rests on obedience. His Spirit may still work, but sin always leaves wreckage. Samson was used by God, yet left broken, angry, and estranged.

Don’t mistake God’s patience for permission or his power for a green light. What he wants most isn’t just results—it’s your heart.

ASK THIS:

Where have you been tempted to measure God’s approval by your success?
Is there an area of your life where you’re “winning” but not obeying?
What’s one area you need to realign with God’s will today?
DO THIS:
Identify one place in your life where results have blinded you to disobedience.
Confess it to God in prayer.
Commit one act of obedience this week that costs you something but honors God.
PRAY THIS:
Lord, thank You that You still work through weak and broken people like me. Keep me from confusing Your power with Your approval. Align my heart with Yours so that my life brings You pleasure, not just results. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
“Heart of Worship.”