Standing For God

2 Samuel 23:11-12 STANDING FOR GOD Intro: 2 Sam. 23 tells us about David's mighty men. When the Philistines attacked the people of God, all the people ran away. All, except one man named Shammah! He took his stand in a field of lentils, and he won a great victory. I. IT WAS A TIME OF GREAT CONFLICT V. 11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. A. When The Enemy Came - where was a piece of ground full of lentiles (Harvest Time) They were working and not prepared for war. (God would have His people be prepared! - 1 Pet. 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Neh. 4:16-18. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. B. Why The Enemy Came - The enemy came against Israel for four reasons: 1.) To defy Israel (Goliath) 2.) To defeat Israel 3.) To discourage (Stealing crops.) 4.) To destroy Israel C. What The Enemy Found - All the people fled from before them. What the enemy found was no opposition! When trouble comes, 99% of the people in the church flee from the scene of the battle. No one wants to take a stand. After all, we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings!

II. IT WAS A TIME OF GREAT COURAGE V. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, A. Shammah's Resolve - The Bible tells us that Shammah "stood". Shammah knew that there are some things worth fighting for! B. Shammah's Reason - Why did Shammah fight? He knew that without food, the people would perish. 1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? The church, the lost, the Word of God, the prayer meeting, our families, our young people, etc. These things are so important that they are literally worth dying for! C. Shammah's Reward - and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

III. IT WAS A TIME OF GREAT CONQUEST V. 12 and the LORD wrought a great victory. 1. The Source Of Victory The Lord Defeated The Enemy - He Gave The Grace, The Grit, & The Glory Same with David & Goliath, or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, or Daniel The battles are the Lord's, 2 Chron. 20:15; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Psa. 35:1; Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. 1 Sam. 17:47. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands. Whether you win or lose, what the Lord requires, you to be faithful! 2. The Size Of Victory The Lord Defended The Ground - Because God had one man who was willing to stand, the fields were protected and the people were saved from starvation and from slavery! 3. The Significance Of Victory and slew the Philistines He Inspired Faith, Fight, Fortitude. Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”