1 Chronicles 11:11-14, 2 Samuel 23:8-10
I. The Enemy Wants What Belongs to You!
-1 Sam. 17:1 says that this land belonged to Judah
-In fact, this is the SECOND time David has fought the enemy at this very place!-The first time he faced off with Goliath here-Satan wants what belongs to you and will fight to get it!
-The second time it was David and Eleazar-Would love to take your salvation - but that is not possible-Satan is: murder, liar, destroyer, devouring lion -The world & the flesh are powerful enemies as well
-Will try to steal your joy - your peace
-Will try to destroy your testimony
-Will try to destroy your home - your family
II. Stand Against and Defy the Approaching Enemy!
-In 1 Sam. 17 - young David was not going to allow the Philistines to continue!
-Again in 2 Sam. 23 & 1 Chron. 11 - David and mighty man Eleazar were not giving up this land to the enemy!
-they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle (2-S)
-And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines (1-C)
-(Ephesians 4:27) Neither give place to the devil.
-(Ephesians 6:11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
-(1 Peter 5:8-9) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
-Put up a fight! Don't sit by and let The World, The Flesh, and The Devil steal and destroy what is precious to you!
III. When You Must Stand Alone - Stand!
-and the men of Israel were gone away (2-S-23:9)
-and the people fled from before the Philistines (1-C-11:13)
-Should you ever find yourself in this battle alone - TAKE YOUR STAND ALONE!
-(Deuteronomy 31:6) Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
IV. You May Grow Weary and Weak - But Don't Let Go of the Sword!
-He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand cleaved unto the sword (2-S-23:10)
-Even though Eleazar was growing weak & weary - he was not letting go of that sword until the job was done!
-(Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
-(1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
-(Hebrews 12:3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
-(Isaiah 40:31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
-The sword, of course, is the Word of God - we should cleave to it and not put it down!
-(Ephesians 6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
V. The Victory Belongs to the Lord!
-and the LORD wrought a great victory that day (2-S-23:10)
-and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance (1-C-11:14)
-Any victories we have - the praise, honor, and glory goes to the Lord!
-Have you ever heard someone say - "I couldn't have done it without you!"
-We could never have victory without the Lord!
-(1 Chronicles 29:11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
-(1 Corinthians 15:57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
-(Romans 8:37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
VI. The Victory Will Benefit Many!
and the people returned after him only to spoil (2-S-23:10)