2 Samuel 23:11-12 "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. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory."
Oh to be like Shammah! To know that God is on your side and will reward your efforts if you will only have the heart to stand up for what is right. Sadly we live in a world where the Bible and it's standards are slowly being watered down to make them more appealing to a culture that is self centered and not focused on God. Shammah knew that he must defend this patch of lentiles, or peas and yes it would have been much easier to defend it if he had help from the other soldiers but they all ran away. He could have given up and said it was too hard a fight, or he could have joined the crowd and used the excuse well I had no help or I don't want to stand out in a crowd. But he didn't, he knew what was right and he determined in his heart that even if he was the only one, he was going to stand up for what was right.
Do we have the same stamina that Shammah did? Do we realise that God is on our side? He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Do we hold to that when we are challenged to choose the ways of the world or to perhaps be the only one standing alone in the pea patch for God? Sometimes our faith is put to the test and we are asked to choose between what we know is right and what everyone else seems to be doing. Which way will you choose?
If you choose to be a mighty woman or man of God, like Shammah, you need to know that your opinion will not always be the popular one. Sometime you may be the only one standing up for what is right. You may have to defend your pea patch with the word of God. It is so very important that we know the Scriptures and know where God stands on the issues that we face every day. When we are confronted with an issue, we need to ask ourselves 'where does God stand on this'? Once we have determined that then we need to stand and not give in. We need to be on the Lord's side.
I choose to be a Shammah. I choose to stand up for what is right. I choose to be salt and light to this world, even if I am the only one because I know God will be on my side. If you feel like you have been fighting a losing battle, remember you are not alone. God will defend you and help you. He will give you the reward of victory! Dare to be a Shammah!
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