The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 23:8a,
"These are the names of David's mighty warriors..."
Documentation of the "mighty warriors" of David is made in this chapter. Men who performed incredible feats of courage, strength and prowess.
Josheb-Basshebeth is cited as killing 800 of the enemy with his spear in one encounter! Abishai is mentioned as one who had killed 300 men with his spear. Of the many exploits of Benaiah, mention is made of the time he went into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also killed a "huge Egyptian" by snatching away his spear and killing him with his own spear!
Other exploits of other mighty men are made mention of. I am reminded, particularly as I read of the "heroes of faith" in Hebrews 11, that the people of God are not milque-toast types. The strength and virility of both men and women are well-documented within the pages of Scripture.
"These are the names of David's mighty warriors..."
Documentation of the "mighty warriors" of David is made in this chapter. Men who performed incredible feats of courage, strength and prowess.
Josheb-Basshebeth is cited as killing 800 of the enemy with his spear in one encounter! Abishai is mentioned as one who had killed 300 men with his spear. Of the many exploits of Benaiah, mention is made of the time he went into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. He also killed a "huge Egyptian" by snatching away his spear and killing him with his own spear!
Other exploits of other mighty men are made mention of. I am reminded, particularly as I read of the "heroes of faith" in Hebrews 11, that the people of God are not milque-toast types. The strength and virility of both men and women are well-documented within the pages of Scripture.
How about Christians? Are Christians supposed to be wimps, impotent, weak, powerless?
When Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount he said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:6. In Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, he said, "in humility value others above yourselves", Philippians 2:3. Peter tells us, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" 1 Peter 5:5.
While Merriam-Webster's second definition for "meek" is "deficient in spirit and courage", the first definition is the one that hits the mark for the above verses, "enduring injury with patience and without resentment." I say this because as I read the exploits of David and his men, as I read of the exploits of Paul and Peter in the New Testament, as I read of the life of Jesus Christ, I don't see weakness. Yes, Peter denied the Lord three times. But he was convicted of it and his life following the incident was about as bold and brash as anyone can get. Meekness does not equal weakness.
Some folks equate humility as being a door-mat, allowing anyone to walk over them. Weakness with a failure to stand up for oneself is sometimes thought of when considering humility. Nothing could be further from the truth. Humility is "the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people", (as Merriam-Webster defines it).
When Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount he said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:6. In Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, he said, "in humility value others above yourselves", Philippians 2:3. Peter tells us, "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'" 1 Peter 5:5.
While Merriam-Webster's second definition for "meek" is "deficient in spirit and courage", the first definition is the one that hits the mark for the above verses, "enduring injury with patience and without resentment." I say this because as I read the exploits of David and his men, as I read of the exploits of Paul and Peter in the New Testament, as I read of the life of Jesus Christ, I don't see weakness. Yes, Peter denied the Lord three times. But he was convicted of it and his life following the incident was about as bold and brash as anyone can get. Meekness does not equal weakness.
Some folks equate humility as being a door-mat, allowing anyone to walk over them. Weakness with a failure to stand up for oneself is sometimes thought of when considering humility. Nothing could be further from the truth. Humility is "the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people", (as Merriam-Webster defines it).
Enduring injury with patience and without resentment as well as not thinking you are better than other people are entirely consistent with strength, power and might. It is a stronger person who does not lash out at the first sign of an offense. It is a strong personality that maintains an outlook of viewing others with respect as opposed to whining about what losers everyone around them are (a vain attempt to look better than others.)
If we were to emulate the early believers, the apostles, the great people of faith cited in Hebrews eleven, we would be the most virile, the most potent, the strongest of personalities. By these, I don't mean aggressive or hostile, but loving, kind, potent and mighty! Strong! A force to contend with!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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