Stand Alone at Times

Photo by Dan Eicher

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:10-12

He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to strip the slain.  Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines.  But he took his stand in the midst of the plot, defended it and struck the Philistines; and the Lord brought about a great victory.

Insights: Notice with me a second truth from these verses today.  As the Philistines began to advance onto the Israelites, the Israelite people fled from them.  All of them ran for their lives except for Shammah.  He knew this ground of lentils was the food for his people.  Many would starve to death if he did not fight for this crop.  All his compatriots lost courage and ran, but he took a stand in the midst of the plot and defeated the Philistines.  There are times in our lives in which the Lord calls us to stand alone.  Everyone else may desert us, but we need to remember from yesterday that our strength is not in us, but the Lord.  If we will rest in His strength, then we will be able to stand alone when the pressure comes.  Many are unaware that when our country was founded there were about a third of the people loyal to England.  There was another third who remained indifferent about the war.  This means only a third of the people were willing to stand against England.  Now I understand that a third is more than one, but the point is these individuals were willing to stand for the right principle even if everyone else turned their backs on the truth.  Beloved, I pray, in the midst of our current political catastrophes, that we will be willing to stand alone for the Lord and His right even if it means persecution and death.  Let your life bring glory to the Lord.

Questions:

1. Have you ever found yourself standing alone regarding an issue?

2. Were you able to maintain your conviction in the midst of opposition?

Prayer: Father, I do not like to stand alone in the midst of difficult circumstances.  Lord, however, I do wish to honor You and to obey You.  Help me to stand alone for You if that is what You call me to do.  Let me find my courage in You.  Amen.

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