BATTLE WEARY AND RESCUED

PROCLAMATION

“Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel.  David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.  And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, … said he would kill David.  But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him.  Then David’s men swore to him, saying, ‘Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.’”  2 Samuel 21:15-17 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

This was near the end of King David’s reign.  He was old and weak, but he did not flee from battle.  His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak.  David needed help and The Lord God sent someone to help him in his time of need.  David had killed Goliath, (1 Samuel 17:45-51) but he had four sons and one of them, Ishbi-Benob, was about to kill David.  The Lord God delivered David from his enemy and rescued him from Goliath’s son.

APPLICATION

We all have our enemies, some of whom are bigger, stronger, and more powerful than we are.  However, The Lord God is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than all of our enemies, and He will protect us and fight our battles. (2 Chronicles 32:8 and Psalm 59:9)  He is our help when we are in need, (Psalm 121:2) and our strength when we are weak. (2 Corinthians 12:9)  Thanks be to The Lord God who has given us the victory over all of our enemies in this world through Jesus, The Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)