Victory on a Snowy Day
2 Samuel 23:20
This was one of David’s mighty men. We find him in 2 Sam 20: ‘Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:’ the archers and the slingers.
‘The third captain of the host for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief priest: and in his course were twenty and four thousand’
David’s men were not promoted because of their background. They were exalted after proving themselves.
Looking at this mighty man’s name – Benaiah = God built. From his childhood benaiah was in preparation. His Father was a chief priest. Benaiah was raised around the ceremonies and workings of the tabernacle.
Now we see this man on a snowy day going down into the midst of a pit to kill a lion. He wasn’t a fair weather warrior. It is never a good time to fight lions. In these conditions, even worse. This man had the courage to go to this lion.
Not surprised on the road like Samson. This man went and faced his problem.
There are situations in our lives that cannot wait to be dealt with. Some things can’t be put off until a better day. Sometimes we need to stop procrastinating and get the job done.
Some things in life are not going to wait for a sunny day. They must be dealt with immediately.
Luke – discipline
Vehicles – breakdown
Homes – leaks and damage
Relationships – misunderstandings, letdowns
Sin
Benaiah was having a bad day, but he knew the Lord was his victory.
There are people called of God who are waiting for better conditions. There are people with talent and ability waiting for better conditions. There are people who put off salvation waiting for better conditions.
This man didn’t go in his own strength, but in the strength of God.
Isaiah 41:10. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’
To face a lion, it must take courage. In the snow? This guy was nuts. This man was convinced that God was his help. It takes courage to leave the house. It takes Courage to work in the public. Courage to go to family reunions. Courave to come to the altar. Courage to stand up for Jesus. Much more when the conditions are not nice.
We aren’t sure, but maybe this lion had raided the sheepfolds, the livestock offerings from the tabernacle. Maybe it raided the orphanage and attacked some children. This mighty man was going to make sure the lion was destroyed.
1 Peter 5:8 ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:’
In our spiritual lives today, there is a lion looking to devour us. This lion is the devil. He creeps in the dark to pounce on and bear down on the unsuspecting, unaware, uninformed Christian.
Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. When we find ourselves between clenched teeth of sin, we must deal with it immediately. If it is good conditions or not. Sin strengthens itself with time. The time to deal with sin is immediately.
Has the devil attacked your home? Your family? Your finances? Your health? Your church? It might be the worst day of the year, but it is the best day for your victory.
Is your lion an addiction? A secret. A stronghold? A battle that seems to never be won? This man shows us that with God, we can have a victory even on a snowy day.
Let God fight for you, but you must have the courage to step out and not postpone or procrastinate any longer. 2 Cor 6:2 ‘now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’
