Will you stand up?
Starting from II Samuel 23:8 the Word of God gives us the names of the mighty men of David. Two of them were Eleazar and Shammah, and about them we read in the Scripture:
II Samuel 23:9-12
And after him [Josheb-Basshebeth, see verse 8] 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. 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. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory.
And after him [Josheb-Basshebeth, see verse 8] 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. 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. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory.
“He arose” is said for Eleazar and “he took his stand” is written for Shammah. While God’s people were fleeing in the view of their enemies, these two men, each one on a different occasion, stood up and as the Word says: “THE LORD BROUGHT A GREAT VICTORY”. Once one of His people made the decision to stand up against the enemy, the Lord brought a great victory! It was not a question whether He would bring the victory or not. He would certainly bring it! But He needed one, at least one, of His people to stand up against the enemy. Once this happened, and somebody took a stand, the Lord brought the victory!
God looks around for people who will resist the enemy. For warriors that will take a stand for Him and will trust Him, regardless of the situation. Our enemy is not a Philistine but the devil and here is what the Word of God tells to us, His people:
James 4:7
“Therefore submit to God. RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU”
“Therefore submit to God. RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU”
I Peter 5:8-9
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
And again in Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to STAND. STAND THEREFORE, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to STAND. STAND THEREFORE, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
We too have an enemy, the devil, and we too will make him to flee if we submit to God and RESIST him. As I John 4:4 says:
I John 4:4
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
The victory of Israel was not brought because of the power of Eleazar and Shammah. These were people like anybody else. But they made a difference by taking a stand, trusting their God when everybody else fled. Because they did this God brought a great victory. Making the devil to flee is not a matter of our power and abilities. It is not WE, by ourselves, that are greater than the devil but He that is in us! It is He that gives us the victory! But we have to submit to Him and resist the enemy! And here is what God promises to those who do it:
Romans 16:19-20
“For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
“For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
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