Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

WHAT DID SHAMMAH DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

Out of the annals of ancient Israel comes an interesting, but little noted individual and event. In II Samuel 23:11-12 a man named Shammah is noted. He is one of the mighty men of King David whose name and major event is listed for which he was known. The scripture reference is a sort of “Hall of Fame” for David’s generals.

One of the continuous enemies of ancient Israel was the Philistines. When they were strong, they would attack Israel in some of their weaker places and take whatever they wanted including people. It appears the Philistines wanted a field of lentils, and were willing to go to war to take it. The Israelites including presumably the ones who owned the field fled from before the Philistine warriors. Not so Shammah. He stood his ground, and God wrought a great victory that day by the hand of Shammah. Interestingly, it was a bean patch he protected, and more interestingly his name Shammah, means “there.” Shammah was not flighty, he was solid—he was there. He could be counted on in any time of crisis. The bean patch is not so important as the principle of not giving in to those who would plunder and steal. What did he do that was so right? He trusted in God to help him and give him victory. Notice that the Bible does not say that Shammah won the victory. Rather it says that God wrought the victory.

Do you run away in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds or do you trust in God to help you and give you the victory? If your trust is in God, and you are depending upon His promises, that is so right! It is following a Bible example of many precedents of which Shammah is one.

FOR THOUGHT: Times of adversity and trial come to every Christian. What do you do when they come your way? Do you meet them in perceived power of yourself? Do you run away? Do you ask God for help and wisdom to meet the challenge? Think of a specific time when God helped you meet a challenge.