Morning Devotional

November 9, 2004
"Becoming a Mighty Man (Part 1)"

by Don Emmitte

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These are the names of David's mightiest men. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was commander of the Three--the three greatest warriors among David's men. He once used his spear to kill eight hundred enemy warriors in a single battle. Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder! Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory. (2 Samuel 23:8-12 NLT).

Today’s verse is from one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament. I love reading about David and his triumphs, but to read about the men he influenced is even a greater joy. The mighty men of David were valiant, strong men of character and courage. We can learn some things from these men. For the next few days we’ll look at the three mentioned in our reading this morning.

I have often shared them with others in sermons and Bible studies I have led. This week, we will look at three principles we can learn from David’s mighty men, which I believe can help us become the men and women God wants us to be. Even though I will be using the term "mighty men" that term is not gender specific. You can be a mighty man or a mighty woman of God by applying these principles in your life.

Today, as we consider Josheb-Basshebeth, you should see that a mighty man of God has the courage to win the battle. Josheb was no slouch. He fought hard, and he won. I can’t even begin to understand how one man can have victory over 800 men, but that should be a lesson to us that “nothing is impossible with God”. A young boy traveling by airplane to visit his grandparents sat beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school take-home paper when the professor thought he would have some fun with the lad. “Young man,” said the professor, “If you can tell me something God can do, I’ll give you a big, shiny apple.” The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Mister, if you can tell me something God can’t do, I’ll give you a whole barrel of apples!”

That’s the right perspective! Are you facing something that today seems unbearable? You must, then, be looking at the problem and not at the Problem-Solver. If the storm seems too difficult, you must have your focus on the storm, and not on the “One to whom even the winds and the waves obey”. God’s Spirit and help are available to you and me today to face the journey ahead. We must trust him if we are to win the battle. Do you want to be a mighty man or woman of God? Allow God to do the impossible through you today!