2 Samuel 23:8-39
We are to war the good warfare (1 Tim. 1:18)
We are to fight the good fight (1 Tim. 6:12;
2 Tim. 4:7)
We are soldiers of the cross (2 Tim. 2:3-4)
What can we learn from David’s mighty men of
valor about warfare (2 Sam. 23; 1 Chron. 11)?
Adino fought fearlessly even though he was
outnumbered (2 Sam. 23:8)
Faithful Christians will always be outnumbered
by the unfaithful (Mt. 7:14; 10:35-36;
Phil. 2:16; Rev. 3:4,8), but they will fight
without fear (2 Tim. 1:7-8; Heb. 13:6)
Faithful Christians have a greater strength with
God in the minority (Rom. 8:31-39; 1 Jn. 4:4;
5:4)
Eleazar fought even though he was abandoned
by his fellow-Israelites (2 Sam. 23:9-10)
Faithful Christians may be abandoned by those
in and out of the church (2 Tim. 4:10), but they
know they are not abandoned by God
(Jn. 16:13; 2 Tim. 4:16-18)
Faithful Christians will cleave to the sword of
the Spirit to the end (Eph. 6:17)
Shammah fought alone even though he was
defending a small thing (2 Sam. 23:11-12)
Faithful Christians will fight for the “small”
things in the church (Zech. 4:10; Mt. 25:21,23;
Lk. 16:10) - work, worship, organization, plan
of salvation, talents, etc.
Faithful Christians will “stand fast” and “hold
fast” the apostolic tradition and the pattern of
sound words (2 Thess. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:13)
Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah fought for a
greater good outside themselves with loyalty
to their commander (2 Sam. 23:13-17)
Faithful Christians will selflessly hazard their
lives for the greater good of the cause of Christ
(Acts 15:26; Phil. 2:30)
Faithful Christians will fight with love and
loyalty for Christ (Jn. 14:23; Jude 3)
Abishai and Benaiah fought even though they
did not hold the same position that others had
(2 Sam. 23:18-22)
Faithful Christians will fight united regardless
of their roles, functions, or duties in the Lord’s
church (Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4:16; Phil. 1:27)
Faithful Christians are not side-tracked from
fighting by petty rivalry, bickering, in-fighting,
or jealousy (Lk. 9:46; 22:24; Gal. 5:15)
Who is winning the battle for your soul today?
Let us be strong and mighty men of valor
(2 Cor. 10:3-4 Eph. 1:19; 6:10; Col. 1:11)
Is your name in the list of mighty men
(Rev. 3:5)?
“And the Lord wrought a great victory that
day…”