Rise up (Part 2)

He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. —  1 Chronicles 11:22

After killing two of Moab’s best men, the Bible records that Benaiah went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.  Why?  Well, remember that Benaiah was using David’s life as a pattern for his own life.  Even though he had probably witnessed the slaying of Goliath with his own eyes, he also heard the stories.  Someone told Benaiah that they heard as a young shepherd, David killed a lion while protecting his flock.  Well, Benaiah wasn’t a shepherd, so he got this idea:  I will go find me a lion and kill it.  This brings about 3 points that I would like to share with you.

First, it was in a pit.  This is a very inconvenient place.  Not only is it dark, it is the enemy’s territory.  It will absolutely never be convenient for us to serve the Lord.  This world is enemy territory.  The devil is still the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and he utilizes that power against us mightily.  Some say “when I get out of school, I’ll serve him.”  Others say “If I can just get this new job, it will be easier to serve Him.”  Others might even say “If I can just marry this man, I will be able to honor the Lord.”  Some might even say “If I can just divorce this woman, it will be easier to honor God.”  Whatever the excuse…it is never going to be easy to serve God.  Never.

Second, it was on a snowy day.  Visibility was  bad, and it would have been a million times easier to stay inside where it was more comfortable.  Visibility here on Earth is bad.  All we can see is today.  We can reflect on what happened yesterday, but we honestly have no clue what tomorrow, or even the rest of this day is going to bring.  Perhaps this is why James says “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’  As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”  (James 4:13-16)  Today is the day of salvation.  No more excuses.  If you don’t serve the Lord on purpose each and every day, it’s never going to get more convenient than today.

Last, and this is the best part, he hunted and killed the lion.  Nobody goes looking for a lion, especially in that day where high powered rifles were non-existent.  The Bible says “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8)  What if we turned it around today?  What if instead of living our lives out of control and being completely oblivious to an enemy that is waiting to prey on our weakness, we went on a hunt?  What if we hunted the lion instead of waiting on him to devour us?

I don’t know about you, but I get tired of the devil bringing me down.  I get tired of him pushing me and my family around.  Through Christ…I have the power.  Remember the words?

Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13)

It’s not that I’m that strong, but He who is in me is!  He has overcome this world. (John 16:33)

If you seek to honestly live for Him every day that you exist, I think Benaiah teaches us that it‘s time to go hunting!

Lord, thank you for the cross that gives me access to Your mighty power.  I cancel the devil’s assignment on me, my family, my school, and my friends!  I pray everywhere that I walk today that demonic powers have to dive under my feet as I crush them with every step I take.  Help me stay self-controlled and alert for the rest of my days.  Thank you with all my heart.

Later

Adam