Take A Stand
The Spirit of God will empower you to take a stand for what is right. We were made to stand together, strengthen others, and serve the King.
“These are the last words of David: The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’ These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth…Eleazar…Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it…There were thirty-seven in all.” 2 Samuel 23:1-39
Last words are meaningful and David neared the end. The spirit led David to say what mattered to him in how he lived. He said what mattered was doing God’s will, being in right standing with Him, and always elevating God’s plans above his own desires. Would anything change in your life if the filter for how you lived was whether what you did aligned with what God wanted done?
David never did life alone. We were not meant to live alone. As his days conclude the focus shifts from what he did to how he empowered others to do great things. The scripture lists the names of David’s mighty men. The three that stand out shine because of where they took a stand.
These were not men who had special training. The Scriptures say when David found these men in first Samuel they were distressed, in debt and discontented. God shifted their pain and turned it into purpose by empowering them to do His will by standing with and for others.
When the enemy forces were overwhelming against them and others fled, the three most notable mighty men took a stand. Where is God leading you to take a stand? Where does he want you to stand for justice and righteousness? Where in your sphere of influence do you see needs of the vulnerable that stir your heart?
“Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle. I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.” Psalms 140:1-13
Wouldn’t it be nice if life was easy? Wouldn’t it be great if there was no conflict and peace ruled the world? Unfortunately, we live in a world where people stir up war every day and devise evil plans. God did not put us here for a life of ease. Rather, He equips and empowers us to be strong so we are ready for the battles that will come our way.
David did not deviate from focusing on the truth that God is the one who is the deliverer. As strong as we can be, victory belongs to the Lord. David did not make the mistake of trying to operate in his own strength. He was keenly aware of how God’s presence would lead the upright. David knew that God’s will always involves helping those who cannot help themselves. God wants to shift our focus from trying to crown ourselves to serving kingdom causes. What kingdom cause is God calling you to today?
“Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors and they have no comforter. And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil…Two are better than one…If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:1-12
Solomon looksedaround at the world and saw that there are many people who were hurting. He saw a world of people oppressed with no one to comfort them. He saw that the source of much evil is envy. Envy leads to separation, comparison, and striving for things that are not to the glory of God. Every one of us will experience envy at time. The question is not if, but how, envy is impacting your hearts.
Solomon then gives the antidote to the infection of envy. Solomon spoke about community and connection. We were made to live in community and have close relationships. God wants to shift our mindset from me to meaning. As we face our everyday battles, the secret to success comes in living by the spirit and have the strength of other believers by your side as you serve.
Solomon said fools fold their hands. Jesus told the parable of the person who buries their gift and is a wicked servant by not using their gifts for good. God not only calls us to do His will but He calls us out if we fold our hands. Doing nothing is doing something and does not get us a servant's wage. Have you been folding your hands when God would rather you fight for good?
As God is sending you to take your stand and serve people in need, He is also surrounding you with fellow kingdom servants to strengthen you. It is no accident that you live where you live or are in community with the people around you. How could you foster deeper relationships within your community? Who could you help take a stand or serve alongside someone else?
“At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.” Isaiah 39:1-6
An interesting connection arises in our Isaiah passage to our earlier wisdom literature in Ecclesiastes. In what seems like a harmless act, Hezekiah shows the foreigners from Babylon all his treasures. What could be the harm that comes from this? Is it not good to share how we have been blessed?
Isaiah told him that all his treasure will be lost by future descendants because of this careless act. How could this relate to us today? Think about your average social media profile and the natural desire within us to tell everyone about each success. How could sharing all of about the treasures we have be creating envy in the hearts of others?
What would happen if we shifted our focus from talking about our treasurea to celebrating how we can serve and give? Talking about our passions should not involve bashing other people who do not share our beliefs. Celebrate where you are taking a stand and serving without obliterating another person loved by God who does not believe what you believe. Jesus was not boastful nor did He belittle others. He simply lived to do God’s will and helped equip the people around Him as He brought healing.
“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. Jesus withdrew with his disciples…Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:1-35
Jesus asked a question. When is it right to do what is right? The answer is always. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing. Think of the connection to David, who said that living righteously and fearing God will bring light and bear fruit. Jesus said the same thing. Helping the people right in front of you who are in need of help is doing God's will. Don’t overthink it. If someone is hurting help them.There can be paralysis by analysis when we continually wait to hear from God when He often He has already put in front of you the obedient step He wants you to take. Just do what you can when you can, then do it again.
It was envy that kept the Pharisees from following Jesus and it can be the same thing that can get in our way. Rather than boasting about how he had performed a miracle, Jesus climbed a mountain. He pursued God's presence and times of prayer. When you are secure in your identity and living for God, you do not need to be celebrated by others. Jesus just kept doing the next right thing and in doing so empowered others to understand the authority they have to impact lives.
Remember how David’s mighty men came from nothing. Jesus disciples were cut from the same cloth. If you are not feeling especially talented or gifted you should know you are in good company. The mighty men and twelve disciples were not born brave. The learned and grew into their legacies. Mark Batterson says that God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. The people we remember and make an impact answer the call one day at a time. They choose to serve and sacrifice, to take a stand and stand for God. Every person has the ability to live a life of impact, if empowered by the spirit and open to serving the king. What will your impact be?
The people at the end of the chapter tell Jesus his family had arrived, but He said his family is made of people who do God’s will. Each of us belong to Jesus and are God’s children. Our legacy will be unlocked as we learn how we can best serve and take a stand for the kingdom of God.
Take a moment to consider where you are particularly passionate and where you would most like to see change in the world. Then ask God how can you do be part of the change. Ask Him to tell you what to do and how to do it. He will speak to you like He spoke to David. Victory belongs to the Lord and the Holy Spirit is your greatest help. There is work to do and if you’re willing, God will use you to change lives right in ways you never thought possible.