6/5 1 Chronicles 11:22

²² And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two heroes of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.

King David had a group of mighty men who were his elite forces. This chapter tells of the amazing deeds that made them famous. We all have a gift from God, and these men were gifted at warfare. Imagine the courage it would take to jump into a snowy pit with a lion! Benaiah became the head of David's bodyguards. You could say that in protecting David he was protecting the future Messiah that was to come from David.

At that time, the nation of Israel was a monarchy. It was influenced by direct revelation of God through the prophets and priests. God used them to judge the inhabitants of the land. Israel was at the trade crossroads of the world (Ezekiel 5:5). As God blessed and directed them, the nations of the world would inquire about the God of Israel. But as we have seen, when the Israelites became as wicked as those they had removed, they had to be removed. They were only an example of the judgment on those who refuse to listen to God.

The parallel for today is that each of us has the opportunity to be in a relationship with God. The peace and joy that others see in us, because of our relationship and obedience to Jesus, may cause them to inquire about our God. But the warning is also for us. If we refuse to listen, the consequences of sin in our life will be an example of the judgment of God. We all have the same choice Israel had. Some will even make a name for themselves by doing amazingly courageous things at the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: LORD, help me to always have a heart to listen and obey. If You have planned some mighty deed, give me the courage to do it. Help me persevere until I stand in Your presence.