The enemy was coming and with a mighty army.
The people, mostly farmers and their families, saw no recourse but to run.
And that they did. As the army of the Philistines approached, the people fled in front of them, running for their lives. In those days the enemy armies often invaded at harvest time, after the people had worked to raise the crops. Then the enemy would swoop in, chase them out and steal their food.
On this day, as recorded in 2 Samuel 23:11-12, as the Philistine army approached and the people ran in terror for their lives, one man by the name of Shammah, decided that he was not going to run anymore.
He was recorded in scripture as one of David’s mighty men. And he was. The Bible doesn’t say that other men stood with him, or that the people who ran turned back to help him. Possibly either of these could be correct. But what we do know for sure is that Shammah firmly planted his feet in the middle of a field of lentils, defended it and killed many Philistines. The Bible further says that “So the LORD brought about a great victory.”
The victory came in trusting God, but also in saying, “I’m not running anymore.” Now we are not in a battle with other men, but the forces of evil. These forces are more powerful than any army. In fact, any army that would wage war in order to control other men are actually under the influence of these unseen forces that drive people to attack, torture, and kill those who would do good – those who would side with God in order to bring salvation, healing, and health to the kingdom of God.
In Ephesians 6:12 Paul told us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” He was talking not about men but about the evil spiritual forces of the devil. Paul goes on in this passage to list the articles of spiritual armor we are given to fight, war and withstand these evil forces.
Even with all these tools at our disposal there comes a time when it seems we can fight no more. We have done everything we can.
We have battled to win our children, our parents, our husbands or wives and claim them into the Kingdom of God. We have warred and fought bravely in the spiritual battle to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to bring peace to the emotionally distraught.
Perhaps you have prayed and persevered on behalf of those you love. Or maybe you have even been seeking salvation for those who seem to be your enemies.
Those who seem to hate you because of your faith. In some parts of our world Christians are fighting the spiritual foes who have thrown them into prison because of their faith in God. Whatever your circumstances, regardless your battle and your personal fight, there will come a time when you grow weary.
It seems you can’t swing your spiritual sword one more swing. Your shield has become heavy and it seems your arm can’t hold it up for one more fiery arrow from the devil.
You are tempted to give up and give in. But in describing these articles of spiritual armor Paul says something else, something very similar to what Shammah experienced. He says, “And having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13).
In other words, after you have done everything you can possibly do, after your tears for your loved ones, after all the prayer, after fighting and persevering to win the battle against your evil opponent, even though you are weary, worn out, and ready to give up and give in, that is the time to stop, say with Shammah, “I’m not running anymore.” We plant our feet firmly on the ground and just stand, not giving up, not giving in, but holding our ground.
When we do, God will bring about a victory like you have never seen before. I’m not prophesying and saying that your loved one will finally give in to the Lord. That will ultimately be his or her decision. But you will feel it. You will be strengthened like never before.
You will stand firm and the Lord will work. Just stand firm like Shammah, refuse to budge like Paul.
And somehow, some way you will win a victory and God will get the glory.