May 30

Written by Bill Grandi on May 30th, 2019

My title for today’s devotion is Strength vs Weakness.

Have you ever made a bucket list? I haven’t. Usually when someone makes a bucket list they do all they can to make it happen so they can “scratch that off my bucket list.” I tend to be somewhat practical at times, i.e. cheap, so I have not pursued some things I’d like to do. Jo always wanted to go to the beach. Two years ago (2017) someone gave us a week in a timeshare because I had been through two bike wrecks and a back surgery and they wanted us to get away. So we went to the beach. I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska. The church I pastor is making that happen this September (2019).

But some things don’t. I wanted to ride across America with a friend, taking about 5-6 weeks to do so. I wanted Jo to trail or lead with a camper. That isn’t going to happen now. For various reasons. One which applies here: physical strength. My strength and stamina at 66 are definitely not where it was at 40.

I was struck this morning by a list of men in 2 Samuel 23:18-39. They are called David’s mighty men. Some were just named. Some had specific feats mentioned.

  • Josheb-basshebeth who killed 800 at one time with a sword.
  • Eleazar who killed so many at one time his hand was “frozen” to his sword.
  • Shammah who took his stand in the middle of a lentil field and defended it against the Philistines.
  • 3 men who sneaked into Jerusalem to get water for David because he craved it.
  • Abishai who used his spear against 300 men and made a name for himself.
  • Benaiah who defeated a lion in a pit on a snowy day. He also defeated an Egyptian by grabbing his spear out of his hand and killed him with own spear.

The list goes one. 37 in all. All accomplishing something they never thought possible. But they fought for God. For David. For honor. For Jerusalem. I’m reminded of Philippians 4:13-“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

“Father, when I’m tired and worn out, give me Your strength. When I’m faced with a seemingly insurmountable mountain, give me your strength. When the odds seem stacked against me, give me your strength. Let these mighty men stand as an example to me of what can be done in Your strength.”

 

1 Comments so far ↓

  1. floyd says:

    “… but with God all things are possible.”

    Ain’t it the truth…