Scripture:
2 Samuel 23:9-12 ESV
[9] And next to him among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi. He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew. [10] He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain. [11] And next to him was Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the men fled from the Philistines. [12] But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.
Observation:
As I was reading this morning. This popped out to me. David had a lot of very brave strong men around him. That doesn’t surprise me, to be honest. There is a long list of men and accomplishments. I think the key to all of it is these men knew where victory came from. You can look at the number of people given into their hands at one time and get rather impressed. One had taken out 800 at one time another had slain 300 and one of them had his name on the list because of the death of one man. But the way it was done was very impressive. Hanging out with David had to push you to the next level. However, the thing that really caught my thoughts this morning as I was reading is…where the credit was given for all these great victories. These lists of men are in more the one spot in the bible, and the way the credit is put in the right place is a little different in each place. For example in Chronicles, it is said these men did not attain to be there on this list. That means they were not looking for position and power. Here in 2nd Samuel, we see how the victories that got their name on the list were attained…and the LORD brought a great victory that day.
Application:
What does it look like to be a man of Valor? Have you been confused by where the credit belongs? Are you one that has to say look what I did? I need to say this and it may sound a little harsh. If I hurt your feelings I’m sorry. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s not even about King David or his list of men. It’s all about GOD. Without HIM we are all stuck in the ditch with no way out. There have been some great victories attained in my life. By GOD’s grace, I have a pretty lengthy period of sobriety. I could take the credit but it would just puff my pride up. Our lives were bought at a price. They no longer belong to us. When we ask Jesus into our lives we commit to give HIM all the credit for anything good in our lives. We become HIS bondservant. HE will use us to do great things but we have to realize the credit is all HIS. None of this is about me…none of it is about you…in fact, if it’s not about GOD it’s all in vain. I always pray before I start a SOAP. The reason why is…I want you to encounter a moment with the one who is writing all this. My heavenly Father. Listen I’m just trying to be obedient to what HE has told me to do. Jesus Christ was obedient to the point of sweating blood…and all for the Father’s glory. My life is not lived for me…is your life lived for you? I don’t need my name on a list. In fact, I would prefer it not to be. I would rather you look at what Christ has done in my life than look at what I have done with it. Anything good that has happened HE gets the credit for, and all the rest I did.
Prayer:
Father, hide us in the shadows of your wings. None of this is about us. You are the potter and we are just clay jars that contain the treasure of your son. In all the good that is done, our efforts are but nasty rags. Help is to stay right-sized and in the right place. The list belongs to you. If you want our name on it…it will be but it will not be there because of what we did. Because honestly we are but sheep. You are the Shepherd. Without you, we can do nothing. Before you breathed your breath into us we were but a lifeless lump of mud. Yet even on that day, you had a plan for your glory that involved us. You are so amazing. Thank you for saving my life after I was so Reckless with it you still found value. You are so very good it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen