The Bible is filled with accounts of God's people doing mighty deeds. I was reminded of Eleazar this morning, the second of David's top three mighty men. 2 Samuel 23:9-10 tells us, "And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated.
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He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder." When the men of Israel retreated before the Philistine onslaught, Eleazar stood his ground armed with his sword. He fought to the point of exhaustion. He gripped the sword so tightly his hand cramped and stuck to it! Because Eleazar refused to quit, God brought about a great victory that day. Only after he defeated the Philistines did people return to plunder the slain.
Perhaps Eleazar faced the temptation to follow along with his fellow Israelites and flee in the face of the Philistine attack. Some men undoubtedly saw their swords as a burden and cast them to the ground in their haste to save their skins! But Eleazar refused to back down. He clung to the sword and kept fighting. What a good example this is of the diligence and resolve required in the spiritual battle we face against Satan, the flesh, and the wisdom of this age. When a man takes a stand for righteousness in a fallen world, he will face merciless attack. Sometimes we may be called to stand alone. Even then, we are not alone because God is with us. We are not without weapons to face the battle which presses against us. God has given us the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). In the heat of battle the temptation may come to lay aside the Word of God because we are weary and feel all have forsaken us. But even in the fiery trial God will sustain us, and His Word will protect us.
Eleazar knew what it took to win. He knew that unless he gripped the sword with all his strength, he would lose his best offensive and defensive weapon at once. In holding fast to his sword, he clung to life. Even so, this is true for Christians concerning the Bible. It contains the words of life. God is looking for mighty men to stand today with drawn swords, willing to stand alone if necessary. May God grant us the grace to say with Paul at the end of our days, "I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, and I have stayed the course." Our Saviour will never leave or forsake us. He is our righteous foundation upon which we stand, and His Word is our battle axe and weapon of war. When the attacks come, let us use it to give an answer for the hope which is within us. May God give our hands strength to cling to the Sword! The victory is ours when we stand and fight!
Perhaps Eleazar faced the temptation to follow along with his fellow Israelites and flee in the face of the Philistine attack. Some men undoubtedly saw their swords as a burden and cast them to the ground in their haste to save their skins! But Eleazar refused to back down. He clung to the sword and kept fighting. What a good example this is of the diligence and resolve required in the spiritual battle we face against Satan, the flesh, and the wisdom of this age. When a man takes a stand for righteousness in a fallen world, he will face merciless attack. Sometimes we may be called to stand alone. Even then, we are not alone because God is with us. We are not without weapons to face the battle which presses against us. God has given us the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). In the heat of battle the temptation may come to lay aside the Word of God because we are weary and feel all have forsaken us. But even in the fiery trial God will sustain us, and His Word will protect us.
Eleazar knew what it took to win. He knew that unless he gripped the sword with all his strength, he would lose his best offensive and defensive weapon at once. In holding fast to his sword, he clung to life. Even so, this is true for Christians concerning the Bible. It contains the words of life. God is looking for mighty men to stand today with drawn swords, willing to stand alone if necessary. May God grant us the grace to say with Paul at the end of our days, "I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, and I have stayed the course." Our Saviour will never leave or forsake us. He is our righteous foundation upon which we stand, and His Word is our battle axe and weapon of war. When the attacks come, let us use it to give an answer for the hope which is within us. May God give our hands strength to cling to the Sword! The victory is ours when we stand and fight!
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