2 Sam 23:9-12
Have you ever felt, "I have had enough of fighting, I want a lull; I want peace from turmoil"? If so, read this story about Eleazar, one of David's mighty men, who, when he was left alone (for the men of Israel had gone away), arose and fought "until his hand was weary, and…clave unto his sword" (he was too tired to do anything but just hold on). Read also of Shammah, another warrior, who when the Philistines were gathered together into a troop and the people fled, stood in the midst of a field of lentils and defended it, "and the Lord wrought a great victory."
It is true that there are battles of the spirit that must be fought and won alone, within. But it is also true that we have our Lord. Many of us do not have to fight alone even as to outward help; we have comrades who never desert us in a hard place: so we are far better off than either of those two men. Let it be written in the Book of the Wars of the Lord about each one of us as it was of Shammah, But he stood.
"But he stood"–O let the words
Strengthen us in strong temptation
Thou who art the God who girds
Soldier-souls for their vocation
Gird us now that we may stand
Strengthened by Thy mighty hand
2 Sam 21:15-16: And David waxed faint. And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, . . . thought to have slain David.
Ishbi-benob, the son of a giant, and probably a giant himself, has been giving me a great deal to think about lately, for he is such a particularly disagreeable creature. He always chooses a time when people are tired, and then he attacks them furiously. So I do not like Ishbi-benob. To begin with, he is a deceiver. His name means The dweller in the mount. He does not dwel there. His home is that deep abyss which we call Hell. But he comes as an angel of light, and he whispers texts sometimes, and suggests thoughts that sound humble. ("I am no use. I cannot do this work. I am a failure.") Very soon he has the poor soul he is attacking at his mercy. It was faint to begin with. It gives way unless, unless, it has an Abishai at hand. "But Abishai succoured him [David], and smote the Philistine, and killed him." v.17.
Perhaps none of the particular remarks mentioned as being the giant's favourite whispers have been tried on you. No matter. "He being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David." He has plenty of new things to say, and He will say what he knows will cut deepest. His new sword is very sharp.
Moreover, the soul he is attacking is the soul of a soldier, not a slacker. "David went down…and fought…and David waxed faint." Whatever the weapon used, it is sure to be one which a soldier justly fears - not a little switch knife, but a new sword. It is very foolish to make little of the sword of Ishbi-benob. Paul did not. He never belittled his spiritual enemies. But he never contemplated being overcome. He had his glorious Abishai, and he counted upon Him. Abishai means, Source of Wealth. What do I need - I, who am faint with long fighting - what is my need at this moment? "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19) Need of succour, need of protection, need of strength, need of courage, need of new hope, need of eternal joy - our Source of all wealth is close at hand. "We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." (Rom 8:37)
"And David spake unto the Lord the words of his song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies: . . . The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; the God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour. Thou savest me from violence." (2 Sam 22:1-3) Abishai will not fail me. No, never. Let us speak unto the Lord the words of some song of joy and confidence. "I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies." And blessed be my Abishai; for He will never fail me nor forsake me.
Heb 11:34: Out of weakness were made strong
Here is another word of life and joy, and then immediately follows the warrior word, waxed valiant in fight. Moffat has 'proved valiant,' as though to suggest the thought of a test which proved the reality of the strength; and Way has it delightfully thus: Were out of frailty made strong, became suddenly resistless in battle.
Have we not all known that sudden clear deliverance from paralyzing weakness; that sense of wings that lifts the soul out of the mud and the dust and the dullness; that which is meant by 'became suddenly resistless in battle'? For the dark powers recognize that touch of the Lord of life on the soul they hoped to overwhelm, and they draw off.
Were out of frailty made strong, became suddenly resistless in battle.
When I called upon Thee, Thou heardest me, and enduest my soul with much strength. Ps 138:3 PBV
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