Those whom the world isolates and marginalizes, God uses in His work
SCRIPTURAL BASIS: 2 Samuel 23:8-23 (Parallel passage 1 Chronicles 11:10-24)
Introduction:
The story goes that King David surrounded himself with brave men. At first no one gave a penny for them, but they were loyal, risked their lives for the king, had convictions and became soldiers in his army. Even today, God is looking for brave men and women whom he can use to be his mighty army, essential in the extension of the Kingdom.
1.- The brave do not run away when crises arrive (v. 8).
a.- The brave perseveres, with his eyes fixed on a goal.
b.- The brave is not satisfied with being one more among the crowd (v.8).
c.- The brave is fully committed to the cause.
2.- The brave are not discouraged because they are left alone (vv.9, 10).
a.- The brave does not look at the number of problems but what can be achieved (vv.9 a, 10).
b.- The brave is prepared even to be left alone (v. 9 b).
“…and the men of Israel had departed…”
c.- The brave man does not depend on his strength but on God (v. 10).
“On that day the LORD gave a great victory…”
3.- The brave remain firm despite the circumstances (vv.11-17).
a.- The brave do not change their goals despite adversity (vv.11, 12).
b.- The brave man is clear that the Lord is the one who gives victory (v.12).
c.- The brave man is not stopped by obstacles (vv.14-17).
4.- The brave develop their abilities from crises (v.18-23).
a.- The brave goes to the end (vv.18, 19).
b.- The brave do not give up easily (vv.20-23).
Conclusion:
The brave are forged in the midst of crises. If they depend on God, they are clear that they are not fighting in their forces but in those of the one who created them. Victory is possible when we let our beloved Lord go before us as a mighty giant. It is necessary then, to look at the One who can do everything, and undertake the task of conquering, with the help of him, those goals that we have set for ourselves. And be prepared for everything, knowing that in battles, unforeseen events arise.
By: Fernando Alexis Jimenez