2 Samuel 23:9-10
9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
Eleazar held to his sword so tightly and with such tenacity until the muscles in his hand could not relax. He had a good grip and held on tight to his sword. The fact that others had left him to face the enemy alone didn’t stop him. Regardless of what the rest of the crowd did, Eleazar drew his sword and fought alone. Sometimes you have to fight alone.
2 Timothy 4:16
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:
Winston Churchill said, “Never, Never, Never Give Up!”
Eleazar could have quit because of fear like so many others. He could have quit from fatigue and sheer exhaustion.
He was so tired and weary until his hand froze to his sword! But he didn’t quit! He kept fighting until the LORD wrought a great victory.
How many victories have we failed to win because we didn't hold on? If we can just hold on and keep fighting, God will insure us the victory! Don’t grow weary in well doing. Somebody has to persevere! Somebody has to stand in the gap and make up the hedge! Somebody has to get a good grip and hold on tight! For every failure in the Bible, there is a victor.
- For every CAIN, there is an ABEL
- For every JUDAH, there is a JOSEPH
- For every SAUL, there is a DAVID
- For every JUDAS, there is a JOHN
- For every DEMAS, there is a BARNABAS
This is a very, very dangerous hour in which a spirit of indifference and apathy plagues the church.
Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
If we aren’t careful we will allow the spirit of this age to overwhelm us. Many are departing from the faith, after putting their hand to the plow, they are looking back. This is a time when we must decide just how committed to Christ we really are.
Joshua 24:15 b
15 As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
It all depends on what you put value on!
Matthew 6:21
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
A few years ago, there was an ice cream commercial that was rather popular. They asked the question: “What would you do for a Klondike bar?”
In Bernice Kanner's book, “Are You Normal About Money?”, he shows just about how far Americans will go to make a dollar:
- For $ 1 million: 65% would live on a deserted island for a year.
- For $ 1 million: 30% would spend six months in jail for a crime they didn’t commit.
- For $ 3000: 24% would reveal a friend’s deep, dark secret they swore to keep.
- For $ 500: 66% would kiss a total stranger.
- For $ 50: 75% would kiss a frog.
In other words if the price is right, people will do just about anything for money. But what about the blessings of God? How determined are you to finish the race? How determined are you to fight the fight of faith?
The disciples failed to pray even one hour at the Lord’s request. Out of the 500 that were at Bethany, only 120 obeyed the Lord's command to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high.
No matter how frustrated you might feel right now, don’t give up!
No matter how long it takes, don’t give up!
No matter how alone and forsaken you might feel, don't give up!
Get a good grip and hold on tight for the victory!
