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Becoming Men of Valor 2 Samuel 23 March 23, 2003
Introduction A. What is the making of an All Star player? What does it take to be MVP? What about a military hero? In this chapter we have the listing of the mighty men of valor of David’s army. B. There are 3 plus 34 others. We see some of these listed also in I Chron. 11 & II Chron. 27. C. David’s men began as a small band of dissenters, discontented and outlaws and ended up as men of valor. What was the process? What clues can we gather or lessons can we learn about being people of strength? I. Be Persistent in Prayer: Adino A. Don’t be discouraged 1. Adino (his ornament) also called 2. The Tachmonite (you will make me increase) 3. The Eznite: sharp or spearman – it was his weapon of choice 4. Killed 800 men at one time B. Be Persistent KJV says, “he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time” 1. Note that “he lift up his spear” is in Italics which means it was supplied by the translators. It is, however, assumed that was his weapon because of his nickname and it is confirmed in Chron. 11:11. 2. 800 times he had to lift his weapon of war. Just try lifting your arm 800 times with nothing in your hand. 3. Be persistent in prayer. “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:8) 4. What does it take to be a man of valor? Lift up those hands and keep on lifting up those hands. Too often we lift them up a few times and then get tired. a. There is no physical posture that God prefers that we take when praying other than the posture of a humble heart. However, there is something about the shyness with which many approach God in prayer. b. Start in the seclusion of your prayer closet and start lifting up holy hands without wrath and without doubting before God and see what changes in your life. 5. Moses, Aaron and Herr 6. Why doesn’t God answer our prayers right away? a. Prayer is not a demand upon God to fulfill a contract but a relationship with the Creator of the Universe b. Prayer is left up to God’s best judgment c. Prayer answered automatically… then God probably wouldn’t hear from us very often and very briefly. II. Be Welded to the Word: Eleazar A. Cling to God 1. Eleazar: “God is my help” son of Dodo (which is a nickname for David i.e. loved one) the Ahohite (“brother of rest”) 2. Eleazar defied the Philistines – these were the oppressors of Israel for generations. The idea that they could have a victory over the Philistines was an amazing thought. 3. He did it “when the men of Israel had gone away.” 4. There he was without a human to stand with me, but he had God. B. Cling to The Sword of the Spirit 1. He fought so hard and long, his hand clung to the sword. 2. The Power of the Word 3. Cleansing his way (Psalm 119:9) Washing of water by the Word (Eph. 5:26) 4. Do you have a Philistine of a habit or attitude or other spiritual enemy? Cling to the Word. Wear out your Bible. Memorize it! Be persistent in prayer and cling to the Word III. Be Consistent in Service: Shammah A. The test of small things (guarding the beans) 1. He was raised with a father whose name was Agee: “I shall increase” 2. The Hararite (the mountain dweller) 3. Shammah means “astonished” – Ezekiel uses this name with God’s name and makes up the last words of the book. The ultimate “shock and awe:” the presence of God. 4. Shammah’s job was to guard the beans. It doesn’t seem like a big deal but it was to the hungry troops on both sides. B. Stand your ground 1. Again, the Philistines arrived and the people fled but Shammah stood in the middle of the field. Can you just imagine what the Philistines thought, “This is going to be easy.” 2. Shammah stayed defending a hill of beans because it was the right thing to do even though no one else thought it was worth the effort. 3. It may not have seemed like a big job. “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
IV. Some Observations on the Might Men A. Some common themes 1. God’s people were in confusion and running. There wasn’t any human support 2. They fought past the feeling of being exhausted 3. They won a battle in face of overwhelming odds B. Some necessary elements 1. Persistence… persistent in lifting up your spear 2. Cling to the Word… use it until your life forms a bond with it and is molded by it 3. Stand the ground God has given you in face of all odds.
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