Judges 14:3-4-But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”
4 His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

Sometimes it can be difficult if you find yourself in a position of authority, and feel like you know what is best for a situation, but have those under your authority not follow your lead. It takes having enough faith and humility, to consider that God ultimately will work out what is best. That can be tough, because you may clearly know from experience, the Word, etc. what is right to do, but not have any compliance from people to do it…

In this situation with Samson, he desired to have a wife that was not among his people. So his parents objected to him marrying a Philistine woman, who would compromise his faithfulness to God. In principle they were correct, but in ultimate knowledge of God’s plan they were not…

So being in the situation of his parents, they seemed very lenient in their parenting, and compromising to allow their son to marry a Philistine woman. But think about the times where God eases your stubbornness about something, or your desire to fight as hard as you once did?

What you realize eventually no matter your authority, people will do what they want, if they really want to! But we still have hope that their determination to do wrong, can still be in the will of God! Because God works all things for His own plan, and the good of those who love Him (Ephesians 1:11, Romans 8:28). Just like Samson, we too have been stubborn to our ultimate authority in Christ. Yet we can look back and see how Sovereign our God is, to workout our stubbornness for His purpose and our good!

Our hope cannot be that our own authority changes people’s hearts, but leave it to God to work out His will for His purpose and overall good.

In His Love, Ld