Fight or Flight?

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated.  He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lordbrought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. - 2 Samuel 23:9-10

Eleazar reminded me of David, when he fought against Goliath by faith as Israel cowered in fear. Single handedly he stood firm against the Philistines as Israel had retreated. He wielded his weaponry so fiercely that he brought about a great victory for Israel. The nation benefited from all the Philistine plunder. Eleazar, was a great hero, but he had grown weary in battle; even his sword and his hand became joined as one.

Imagine the conversations these mighty men had between each other as they retold their heroic stories––how the Lord had given them the victory over their enemies.  Hebrews 11:32-34 retells the many stories of heroes of the faith. We and our children can learn from their examples:

… of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:  who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Notice, some heroes were described as weak but God helped them to become strong and valiant in battle.  What caused these men to be so heroic? It was their faith in God; it had made all the difference in what they accomplished. When was the last time you stepped out in faith to engage in battle for the Lord and achieve great things for His kingdom? 

But without faith it is impossible to please Him…
~Hebrews 11:6~

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