Holding On To The Sword! Series

Becoming a Dreamer

2 Chronicles 23:9-10

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

June 19, 2022

One of the things I appreciate in people is when they talk to you, they tell it the way it is. There’s no beating around the bush, no hemming and hawing. They don’t tell me a story, hoping I’ll get the point. Of course, if it’s bad news, I hope they deliver it with grace. That’s one of the reasons I really like the apostle Paul. He’s real. There’s no beating around the bush. He tells it the way it is. For example --

In Romans 7, Paul explains that he doesn’t always do what he wants to do, but the very things he doesn’t want to do, that’s what he does. Can I get an AMEN from anyone? I think I’ve been there too many times.

In 1 Corinthians 1, he wrote about divisions in the church and was so bold as to say, ‘I’m glad I only baptized a few of you, because I’m really disgusted with the whole lot of you.’

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul wrote about his thorn in the flesh. We really don’t know what it was. He prayed and prayed and prayed to God to take this away from him, but God said, “Nope, sorry, dude!” Paul wrote - - -

9 But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore I (Paul) will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.

For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

That’s so key for us. I don’t think anyone likes to consider themselves weak. We want to be strong, healthy, robust, full of life. I don’t think there are many of us who would say to God in our time of prayer . . . ‘hey Lord, I’ve been thinking about it, I’d like you to make me weak, so I can then give you the glory for making me strong, because my strength only comes through you.’

Any takers? Yet, so many times in life, we read stories about people who were not considered capable or disabled - - - and they shocked the world.

We can think of people like Joni Erickson Tada (who is paralyzed from the neck down in a diving accident. She became a great writer and speaker. And is an amazing artist by putting the brush in her mouth.

Esther Vergeer (Became paralyzed at 9. She won 48 Grand slam titles. To end her career, she won 559 of her last 560 matches. She’s been called one of the most dominant player in professional sports.

Nick Vujicic (Evangelist - born w/o arms and legs. He has a great passion for Christ, is married with 4 children. Can type 43 WPM)

Andrea Bocelli (born blind, learned to play piano, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, and drums. Also a lawyer and a great singer

Louis Braille (was blinded in a childhood accident at age 5. Became an accomplished cellist and church organist. Invented the Braille system of reading)

We can go on and on and name famous people who did great things despite their disabilities or challenges.

We can also name those people who are around us. We know people in our lives, in our families, friends and acquaintances . . . people who amaze us at what they can do despite their hardships.

This leads me to where we’re at in talking dreaming crazy, God ordained dreams. And taking some God ordained risks. We’ve seen some wild stories. Benaiah killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. Josheb defeated 800 enemies at one time. Then we read in 2 Chronicles 23 - - -

9 And next to Josheb among the three mighty men was Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi.

He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel withdrew.

10 He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord brought about a great victory that day. - 2 Chronicles 23:9-10

So, there’s a battle going on against the Philistines. During the battle the men of Israel became afraid and began to run. Not Eleazer! He fought against the Philistines and fought so long and hard that his hand was tired and his hand clung to the sword. That means he had gripped the sword for so long and so hard, that he couldn’t even open his hand. I think many of us have done things and it took awhile to recover. This is one of those times.