Through The Bible in a Year - March 5, 2026

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13

A news story tells of Frank Warren who collects secrets—over half a million postcards sent anonymously to his house:

“I had an abortion and wonder if my baby forgives me.” “I give decaf to rude customers.”

“Everyone who knew me before 9/11 thinks I’m dead.”

“I was not faithful to my wife, but I still love her.”

Why do people write their secrets? Warren says: “They’re sharing the secrets with themselves. The greater burden isn’t the secrets we’re keeping—it’s all the energy we put into concealing them. The walls and barriers we develop between who we are and what we fear we cannot accept about ourselves.”

Which brings us to Samson—the dirty little secret of the Bible.

Why is this ugly character presented as a hero? A man who’s a liar, thief, adulterer, killer, bully? We tell the Sunday School sanitized version of this strong man’s life, but rarely read the details.

Here’s why we should tell all the details: No temptation has taken you but such as is common to man. In Samson’s strength and flaws, we are meant to see our own secrets. And we are meant to understand that God is affirming: “Such secrets are notbarriers to My love. Face them so you’ll understand how great is my grace.”

Despite his great strength, Samson shows us three things about human weakness: our core (who we really are), our capacity(what we’re really capable of), and our context (God’s plans for us despite it all).

Respond: What secret are you keeping that you think would disqualify you from God’s love? Today, hear God say: “It’s no secret to Me. I sent Jesus for that. Face it so you can be freed by My grace.”

Prayer: Lord, I have secrets I’m afraid to face—things I’ve done, things I struggle with, parts of me I wish You didn’t know about. But You know it all. Thank You that Your grace is greater than my secrets and my strength to overcome them. Help me face what I’ve been hiding so I can experience the freedom of Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.