Taking A Stand

Day two hundred sixty-six

I came across a quote yesterday that I had written in my quote book that stayed with me:  God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. ~ Saint Augustine

That thought was a big part of my prayer this morning.  I prayed that I would remember how much He loves me and that I would love others this same way.  He is a truly amazing God!

2 Samuel 23

This chapter tells us about David's mighty men. These were a group of highly trained soldiers who fought with David and aided him in his victories. Among these men were three others who served as David's personal bodyguards. These men and their exploits are described in these verses. I want to focus on one of these three special men. His name is Shammah. He is described for us as a man who took a stand against overwhelming odds and won a great victory by the help of the Lord.

The scriptures tell us that the Philistines attacked the people of God. When they came, all the people ran away. All, that is, except one man named Shammah! He took his stand in a field of lentils, and he won a great victory. 

There are some great lessons in this story that help us see that there is a time to take a stand, there is a time to fight, even when others are running away.

Verse 11 Watch While You Work
It is clear from this verse that when the Philistines came, the people were in the fields. This lets us know that the enemy most likely came during the time of the harvest. It was the time when most of the people were occupied in the business of getting the crops in. They would be busy working and they would not be prepared for war.

When does the enemy come against us? Often, he will come in the midst of great blessing and great victory. Often, he will come when we are involved in doing wonderful things for the Lord. He will come when our minds are occupied with other things.  He comes when our attention is so focused on what we are doing that we are not prepared to go to battle.

God knows this and wants His people be prepared. He has given us a warning:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).

Neither has He left us without an example:

 "And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.

They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.

For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me." (Neh. 4:16-18).

We have to learn to watch while we work, even while we do that which is good!

Because the people were not prepared when the enemy came, all the people fled. What the enemy found was no opposition! They would march into the fields and the people would flee in terror!

Sounds like what happens today. Things will be going along just fine and then the devil will stir up trouble. He'll use someone to start a ruckus and when this happens, 99% of the people flee from the scene of the battle. No one wants to take a stand. After all, we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings! Very few have the courage to stand up against the attack of the enemy, look them in the eye and say, "By the grace of God, you will not destroy this lentil patch!"

Verse 12 Taking a Stand

This verse tells us that at least one person had decided to take a stand, Shammah.  What was different about this man that he would stay when others would run? The scriptures don't give much insight into this, but I have a few thoughts I would like to share.  

He resolved in his heart that he would fight for that lentil patch.

He made up his mind that he would not run away from the battle.

He knew that there are some things worth fighting for.

He understood that without food, the people would perish.

Maybe he had run before, but not this time! Today, he would stand and he would fight, even if it cost him his life!

The Reward

Because he was willing to take a stand, Shammah slew the enemies of the people of God. He enjoyed a great victory! If he had run away like all the others, he would have been a coward and he would have been defeated. The enemy would have prevailed.

Shammah was not the only one fighting in this battle.  This last part of verse 12 tells us that the one who really won the victory was God! He gave Shammah the ability to stand. He gave him the power to fight. He gave him the skill to win. He gave him the victory over his enemies. Shammah may have held the sword, but it was God who fought the battle!

Because God had one man who was willing to stand, the fields were protected and the people were saved from starvation and from slavery.

Think about that for a moment.  The actions of one man saved the lives of many people.  How many people's lives would be changed if we were willing to take a stand and do what is right? It is mind boggling to think of all the possible connections that come from one person's actions.  It is my hope that I will remember this example the next time I find myself in a situation where it might be easier to run than to take a stand.  I hope that I will be willing to put it all on the line and protect the lentil patch that the Lord has put in my care!