Scripture:
2 Samuel 21:15-22 ESV
[15] There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. [16] And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. [17] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” [18] After this, there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. [19] And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. [20] And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. [21] And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, struck him down. [22] These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
Observation:
David was not a young boy anymore. He had been in a lot of battles and was getting older. However when he was young. In his first experience with real war. He picked up 5 smooth stones to stand against a giant. His aim was so good he only needed 1, or did he? Actually, see more to the story? These 4 men we read about today many years later are related to Goliath. The other 4 stones had names on them as well. As David got older his stamina was slowing down and he would grow weary. Not something you want to do in the middle of a war. Ishbi-benob almost got revenge on David for killing his relative years before. Abishai saw this and came and struck him down telling David it’s time for you to let us fight. We can’t afford to lose you you’re the king. That day did not stop the war with the Philistines. In fact, there would be several more battles, and in those battles, there would be a lot of men killed 4 of them would be related to Goliath. You see David started something as a young boy that had to be finished. It came about in his old age. When he had to be able to trust others to get it done. Because his ability to do it was slowing down. It may not have gotten done with the 4 remaining stones that David may have had sitting to the side waiting for the day that he would run into the relatives of Goliath, but it got done, and not by the hand of David.
Application:
There comes a time when we have to trust that others can do the work. To be honest we should be preparing for that day. If you are in a leadership position you should be looking at the people who could take over your position, and train them to do so. Most of us don’t think that way. To tell the truth, it’s not how we are taught. 9 times out of 10. We are taught to protect our spot. But if we do that we will never move forward. I started a company about 10 years ago that I love. Not because it makes me a lot of money. To tell the truth, at this point, I don’t make much off of it all. Because it’s never really been about money to me. The company is designed to mold and shape leaders to do what I do. So there comes a point when I have to trust the men to do the job I trained them to do and get out of the way. Now if I did what I was supposed to do they may have some questions. But they will be able to perform the task at hand. It’s part of the reason I love cross pointe church so much. They are not trying to knock others down but build others up for the work of the ministry. This life is never about me… it’s about us the bible calls us to love our neighbors. My question to you is how do you do that if you are not willing to show them how to love others or willing to move them into positions where they can become leaders themselves? Trust is a part of love.
Prayer:
Father, we want to train others to do what you have trained us to do…make disciples. Help us to see how to do that and get out of the way. Trusting others with the work of the ministry is not always easy. Our instinct is to protect what WE have built. Father, I know that I did not build anything. Everything I have you gave me. So I trust YOU with it. I trust that the men you have put next to me want to do the best job they can, and my job is to help them be successful at it. Your word says GO and show others how to trust ME (GOD) and that’s what I want to do. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen