1 Chronicles 11:12-14 — Eleazar … was one of the three mighty men. … The Philistines were gathered for battle where there was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled before the Philistines. They set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and killed the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
2 Samuel 23:9-10 — Eleazar … [was] one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary and cleaved to the sword: and the LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
A field full of barley. What an insignificant-seeming thing to defend! Yet Eleazar understood the importance of not giving an inch of his territory to the enemy. He and his men defied the Philistines, as many Christians initially set out to defy the devil’s plans in our day. But just as most of the Israelites fled in the heat of battle, many of God’s people today turn tail when the going gets too tough.
Eleazar represents a different breed – those who will set their faces like flint to stand and defend God’s dreams for His people, no matter what the cost. Eleazar’s determination to win was so great that his weary hand could not let go of his sword when it was all over, and needed to be pried free. That’s serious work! The battle to establish victory for God’s kingdom takes pressing in to the point of exhaustion sometimes, but the results are worth the effort. The Bible tells us that God worked a great victory through Eleazar and his men that day. If we persevere for our breakthrough, God will give us a mighty victory as well.
And the blessing multiplies beyond just those who don’t quit. “The people returned after him only to spoil.” When we stand at the forefront of the battle, pressing in until we prevail, we must be willing to share “the spoils” of our victories with others – even those who became weary or afraid and ran when the battle waxed too hot.
There are names in our day that will be recorded in God’s chronicles as “Jesus’ Mighty Men and Women.” Where some see only an insignificant barley field – or city, or region – some see a gateway to a nationwide revival. Take your territory for Jesus. Don’t quit. Mighty men and women of valor, contend through your prayer, your belief, your obedience, for your area to receive the greatest outpouring of God’s Presence ever seen.
Filed under: Bible, Bible studies, Charismatic, Christian, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Jesus, Nondenominational, Pentecostal, Prophetic, Religion, Spirituality, prayer | Tagged: awakening, David's mighty men, Eleazar, God's kingdom, outpouring, revival
