Astonishing

2 Samuel 21-23; 1 Thessalonians 1 

“Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.”

2 Samuel 23:11, 12

Shammah, whose name meant ‘astonishment’, astounded both his fellow Israelite warriors and the Philistines by risking his life to defend a bean patch his fellow soldiers had abandoned. Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field of lentils and stood his ground.

On what have we taken our stand?

Are the harvest and our inheritance in that harvest worth our lives?

If Shammah is willing against all odds to take his stand in a bean patch, what will we defend for the sake of the gospel? 

“…after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). The spiritual battle for our cities and nations is intense. We need astonishing stories of faith like Shammah’s and those who are willing to fight for their neighborhood when others have abandoned it. God’s Spirit and empowerment are with those whose hearts are fully committed to him. We, too, will be astonished as the Lord brings a great victory.

“Thank you Lord God, for your harvest; it is worth working for and defending, for your glory.”