Victory on a Snowy Day

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VICTORY ON A SNOWY DAY

II Samuel 23:20
He went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in the time of snow.
His name was Benaiah. He was ranked among David’s mighty men; among the warriors. This man was not a fair weather hero.
I was reading about the mighty men in the 23rd chapter of II Samuel. There was Adino, who fought against 800, whom he slew at one time. Eleazar, who’s sword clave to his hand, and the Lord wrought a great victory by him. Shammah, who stood in a patch of lentils and defended it against a garrison of Philistines, when everyone else had ran away. He didn’t let what others did affect what he did.
But as I was reading, something about this man Benaiah caught my attention. It was a snowy day when he must fight the lion. It was not a good day to fight lions, if there ever is such a day.
I thought how many times in our lives has trouble come at a bad time. For instance, the freezer never breaks until you buy a side of beef. Or the muffler never falls off the car until it’s raining.
How often have we said if this had happened last week or maybe next month, I could deal with it, but not now.
Benaiah had victory on a snowy day.
I thought of how often we have put things off waiting for better conditions or better circumstances that never come. We cannot quit because times are hard or people are callous.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 says although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
This man was having a bad day, yet he praised the Lord. He knew the Lord would give him the victory.
I’ve met people who were called of God, called to a work years ago, and they are still waiting for better conditions. I knew a man called of God to preach the gospel. He kept putting it off and never did go out as the Lord called him to do.
I’ve met people who put off salvation. They say, "I’ll come when I get some of my habits under control." "I’ll come when I am older." "I’ll come when my marriage is in better shape."
Satan always tells people, "Wait till it’s more convenient."
I believe Benaiah knew if he didn’t conquer that lion while he was in the pit, he might not get another chance. He didn’t put it off because it was a bad day.
A man is always at a disadvantage in fighting a lion, but to fight one in slippery snow, a man would surely be at a disadvantage.
I don’t think this man, Benaiah, was depending on his own strength.
You don’t have to face the enemy trusting only in your own strength. (Isaiah 41:10 - I am with thee)
I think Benaiah believed the same God that delivered David from the lion, the bear, and the giant would help him.
It still takes courage. Courage to stand up for the name of Jesus. Courage to step our when conditions are not favorable. Courage to witness to our neighbor. Courage not to put things off until a more convenient time.
Benaiah had a difficult task to perform, but he refused to postpone it.
Maybe this lion had raided the sheep folds. Maybe it had carried off the lambs. Maybe it was a danger to even the children, but now it was cornered. Even though it was a bad day, he would not let it escape to strike again.
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