Thor's Hammer

Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of THOR! ~Odin

Superhero stories always fascinate me.  Thor is an arrogant hero with powers that were stripped away when he was banished from his realm to earth.  He believed he was entitled to the power he possessed in the hammer, but was shocked to find out he was no longer worthy to possess it.  It wasn't until he was willing to die for his friends that the hammer was returned to him, restoring him to full power.

Let's think about the story of Samson in the Old Testament.  He is portrayed as strong and blessed by God, with the strength of many men.  His Godly blessing was in his uncut hair.  He made many demands, and when he did not get his way, he caused war and killings.  His power was stripped away when his lover tricked him in revealing the source of his power, and arranged to shave his head.  Humbled, humiliated, and beat down, Samson finally prays to God, "Sovereign Lord, remember me again.  O God, please strengthen me just one more time.  With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.  Let me die with the Philistines."  With that, the temple crashed down on the Philistines rulers and all the people.  He killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime (Judges 16:28-30 NLT).

When God blesses you, take care not to allow your arrogance to overwhelm you.  God will find a way to humble you, for those who are humbled will find themselves in a place of honor.

But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

 ~Matthew 23:12 NLT