Stick To The Calling

Stick To The Calling by Kirk Hunt

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

2 Samuel 23:9-10 NKJV

Eleazar, the son of Dodo, fought against the Philistines so long and so hard that his hand cramped around the hilt of his sword. When it finally came time to let go of his weapon, he could not. I have experienced this same effect using construction tools. May your service in God’s Kingdom induce the same “stick to it” at least once in your life.

Alone, after all others retreated, Eleazar fought on. He fought with courage greater than his fear. His determination was so fierce that his hand froze around his weapon. He fought to the end because he could not let the enemy win or leave his calling in God.

Here and now, under the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, we fight for God’s Kingdom. In this era we serve and minister rather than swing swords. Still, our level of effort can all too easily match Eleazar’s exertions on that nameless battlefield.

Make no mistake: God brings the victory. A mighty man or woman of God is willing to be His instrument. Let God use you to achieve the impossible.

Think: Mighty are the men and women who stick to it in service to Him.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to stick to my calling.”

Copyright © July 2022, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Shammah’s Lentiles

Shammah’s Lentils By Kirk Hunt

And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:11-12 NKJV

Shammah stood his ground in a field of lentils. I always imagine him alone, matching his soft brass knife against a squad (or maybe a platoon) of hard steel swords. Valiantly, Shammah fought the fight of his life over a patch of beans.

Why there? Why then? Why single-handed? Scripture does not say. The Bible only records that God used one man to bring about a great victory.

Shammah’s lentils are a symbol of the victories God gives despite impossible circumstances. To those without faith, it seems God’s men and women too often risk everything, against ridiculous odds, for nothing of value. Even God’s faithful sometimes feel alone and friendless against endless hordes.

You are not alone. Jehovah-Shammah, the God who is there, fights beside you. Like Shammah bar-Agee, God will bring about a great victory through you.

What has God called you to do? Champion the cause He set in your heart. Nurture the soul he put in your path. Despite all of the really good reasons you should pull back, push forward in God’s power.

It may seem that you are defending a patch of beans against impossible odds. Be confident in fulfilling the call of God. Be faithful and God will deliver victory through your faithful courage.

Think: If God sent me, the issue is not trivial, and the odds are not impossible.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faithful courage over what, where and when You command.”

 

Copyright © March 2018, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Endure

Gift Minister By Kirk Hunt

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13 NKJV

Endurance is the hallmark of a champion. Endurance allows you to continue on when others have given up in discouragement, or fallen in exhaustion. To win, you must first endure.

Athletes deliberately develop their endurance in order to better excel at their sport. The strategies of coaches, teams and individual competitors always include outlasting opponents. Military leaders may call it “toughness” but that does not change the fundamental character of staying on task after others have given up or fallen down.

Endurance is far more than physical stamina. A large portion of enduring is simply deciding that you will not quit. Often, athletes complain about “betrayal” by their own bodies. Their minds are fully prepared to continue, but their bodies stop at the edge of exhaustion (or worse). Physics or biology more often limit us than our mind-power or will-power.

Men and women of God have more than willpower to call upon. God grants endurance to those who ask, in His purpose. His power can suspend the laws of nature. His grace can give the gift of persistence. His mercy can push back the limiting results of poor decisions.

Who needs you to stay on task? What part of His Kingdom needs you to continue on after everyone else has given up or passed out? What stronghold, yours or theirs, needs just a few more strikes of the hammer before it falls?

You can be a Gospel champion. First, decide you want to endure. Second, ask God for what you need to endure. Everything after that is just time or miles.

Think: Endurance is not optional in the life of a Christian.

Pray: “Lord, help me to endure through your power, grace and mercy.”

 

Copyright © February 2018, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.