“Mighty Is As Mighty Does”
II Sam. 23:8-12
Intro.
What does it take to be ‘mighty’ for the Lord?
I believe it takes someone who knows they are never outnumbered. In verse 8 of II Sam. 23, we’re introduced to a man by the name of Adino. He and his people are mentioned one time in Scripture, right here in verse 8.
Adino is the first of many ‘mighty’ men of David. But what made Adino ‘mighty’. I believe it was the fact that he never thought he was outnumbered. Verse 8 tells us that one day, while minding his own business, 800 warriors came against him. Adino had a choice: 1) cut tail and run, 2) lay down and die, or 3) stand up and fight. What choice to you think Adino, the mighty man of David, made?
That’s right, he choose to stand up and fight. So, armed only with a spear, Adino went against his attackers, knowing only this, he may not have started the fight, but by God’s grace, he was going to finish it. Why? Because ‘mighty is as mighty does!’
But, before we get to ‘the rest of the story’, I wonder why the enemy brought 800 men against 1? I wonder what the enemy knew about Adino that made them fear a ‘fair fight’? I wonder what had Adino done in the past to merit such high regards of his enemy in the present?
I believe the reputation of Adino preceded him. His past victories in battle struck fear in the heart of the enemy. When other had gone to war against Adino, to fight a ‘fair’ fight, they suddenly and painfully lost. Why? Because Adino knew that he was never outnumbered.
And the same is true for the Christian. Though Satan and his league of demons come…though the inhabitants of earth rally for your destruction… a Christian is never outnumbered. Why? Because they have God on their side!
David said in Psalms 35:1 “Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.” You see, church family, David knew that he and God made a majority. No, actually, David knew that GOD made a majority, all by Himself. And when in need, David turned to His majority and said, ‘Fight against them that fight against me.’
Do you have someone who is fighting against you? Do you have someone who is speaking evil against you? Are you outnumbered by those that seek to destroy you? Be mindful of what Adino, the mighty man of David, did. Fight against all odds and realize you’re never outnumbered with God on you side.
So, what’s the ‘rest of the story’? Actually, it’s the best of the story!’ Adino, facing 800 enemies of God, picked up his spear, straightened his back, and went to work! One by one, the enemy fell at his feet. One by one, they fell like flies. One by one, until there were none, Adino with God on His side, slew 800 men in a single day.
How can this be? Mathematically this is impossible. The rules of war mandate a different outcome. All it would take was a single blow, from one of the 800 soldiers, to end this battle and kill Adino. Are you telling me that not one of the 800 soldiers could deliver such a fatal blow to Adino? No, I’m not telling you that…God is! No weapon lifted against Adino that day could kill him. No weapon lifted against Adino that day could stop him. No weapon lifted against Adino that day could prosper.
Why not? Because Adino knew that Mighty Is As Mighty Does. He was never outnumbered when he stood on the Lord’s side.
So, right now, choose ye this day who ye will serve. They immoral majority that pollutes the air waves with lust, violence and the like. Choose ye this day who ye will serve. They immoral majority that mocks God, ridicules God’s people and tries to thwart God’s plan. Choose ye this day who ye will serve. They immoral majority that calls right wrong, and wrong right; that says if it feels good do it; that lives their lives like there will be no judgment day.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! The moral Majority. And though my enemies may be many, I will never stand in the minority. Why not? Because, like Adino, when I’m on God’s side, I can never be outnumbered. Why not? ‘Because Mighty Is As Mighty Does!’
But don’t stop with Adino, how about Eleazar, the son of Dodo. This man was bad! Verse 10 of our text tells us that he was a mighty man of David because he wouldn’t be overpowered. He was never overcome. One day, while the armies of Israel defeated the Philistines on the battlefield, Eleazar returned to find 300 men, Philistines, trying to sneak in the back door and rob the city of David.
Eleazar had a choice, 1) let the enemy have what he wants and hope he goes away, 2) try to stop the enemy from taking what you have and possibly get killed in the process, or 3) kill his “sorry-back-door-stealing-should-be-on-the-battle-field-getting-killed-with-the-rest-of-your-friends behind”. What do you think Eleazar, the mighty man of David chose? That right, door number 3, kill the enemy.
But how could he do it? He was outnumber 300 to 1. He was weary from the battle he had fought earlier in the day. I’ll tell you what he did, he forgot about the fight that he had just come from, and focused on the fight that he was now in. He resolved in his heart that today, this day, 300 more Philistines would meet their Maker. Though he was outnumbered…those he was physically exhausted…though no one stood with him. Eleazar did the things that those Mighty in the Lord do, he fought and won, refusing to be overpowered by the enemy, choosing rather to overpower them!
But, before we get to the ‘rest of the story’, let me ask a question, ‘why did these 300 men sneak back into town while their was a battle going on somewhere else? Why? Because they wanted to save their skin and take David’s stuff!
Christian, never forget WHY Satan does what he does. He’s trying to save his skin. You see, God told him that because of his rebellion, he would spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. Now, some folk may not believe in heaven and hell, or the Lake of Fire, but Satan does. And he knows that unless he defeats God, he will one day be cast there!
But, Satan ain’t no fool. He knows he can’t beat God, one on One. He knows that his demons can’t whoop up on God’s angels. So what does he do? He goes after God’s foot soldiers…you and me. You see, God’s plan is to one day exalt us, me and you, into the place of authority that Satan currently holds. And Satan doesn’t want that to happen.
But, what can he do to stop it? He can disqualify us from our place of rulership by helping us to sin. That’s right, Satan will help you sin. The devil may not make you do it, but he will help you do it! You’ll be minding your own business, and then suddenly, out of nowhere the most evil, vile thought will come into your head. You’ll be walking down the street and see something that will take you back to ‘the day’ when you were serving the devil, not the Lord.
Why does this happen? Because Satan is trying to overcome you with sin. Why does he do this? Because if you’re overcome with sin, you can’t overcome him, with Christ.
Now, you have a choice: 1) let sin have it’s way in your life; or 2) fight sin and defeat it, once and for all. What choice will you make?
Eleazar choose NOT to be overcome by the enemy, regardless of the odds against him… regardless of physical fatigue. And you can too.
Everyone in your family may be lost, all of your school mates or co-workers may be lost, your postman may be lost, your doctor may be lost, the lady that sold you they pair of shoes that you’re wearing right now may be lost…but that doesn’t mean that you have to stay lost.
You may be tired, beat down and wore out. You may deserve a break, a reprieve from the battles of life, but until God gives it to you, it’s still fightin’ time.
Make the choice that you will NOT be overcome by the enemy. You will not lose the battle because the odds are against you. You will not give up, or give in, because you’re physically and emotionally tired. Be a mighty man or woman for God, and refuse to be overcome by sin. Because Mighty Is As Mighty Does.
Now, back to ‘the rest of the story’. Having just returned home, after fighting the Philistines on the battlefield, Eleazar finds some soldiers trying to sneak in and steal his stuff. Though tired, no exhausted, he picked up his sword and said, ‘Bring it on!’ One by one, he stabbed, sliced, cut and diced, until every one of those 300 thieves were slain.
But, that’s only part of the story. The Bible tells us in verse 10, his body was so ‘seized up’ in the battle, that his hand froze to the sword. It locked up, holding the sword. After killing those 300 Philistines, Eleazar tried to drop it, but it was stuck! The very flesh that was worn out from the first battle, had ‘retooled’ itself for the next!
Christian friend, stop telling God what your body can and cannot do. He made it. He designed it. He engineered it to do great things, for his honor and glory! II Cor. 6:20 tells me that our bodies and spirits are HIS! And if He allows the enemy to bring a battle to your door, even when you just got home after a hard day a work, tell your flesh who’s the boss. It’s not you, It’s God. And when God wants the flesh to be an overcomer, even at the point of exhaustion, He expects nothing less. That’s what the mighty do! ‘Because Mighty Is As Might Does!’
But don’t stop with Eleazar. There’s one more man I’d like to introduce you to. His name is Shammah. Shammah was a mighty man of David because he stood for what was right.
Now, some folk don’t think Shammah had it all together. You see, he didn’t fight the Philistines because they came against King David. He didn’t fight them because they tried to take his stuff. Shammah fought the enemy over … a wheat field. Not actually wheat, lentils to be specific.
Some folks think that Shammah should have been more selective in the thing he was willing to fight and die for. Some folks think that he was rash, even immature, in going to battle over some beans. But these folks have forgotten something…those were HIS beans.
You see, who told the Philistines that they could take the beans that God gave Shammah? If the Philistines wanted some beans, they should have ask God to give them their own beans! Stealing God’s blessings from God’s people is foolproof way to get yourself in a heap of trouble. Just ask this troop that came against Shammah.
Verse 11 tells us that gathered themselves into a troop, and prepared to take Israel’s blessing. In some version of the Bible, it reads that the ‘army’ of Israel saw this and ran away. Shammah couldn’t stand for this. Although he couldn’t bring Israel’s soldiers back to the battle, he could take the battle to the Philistines.
But, before we get to ‘the rest of the story’, let me ask a question: Why fight over beans? Are beans really worth fight over? Can’t God give us some more beans?
Beans aren’t the problem. The problem is stewardship. You see, God had given those beans to Israel. And God expected Israel to be blessed by those beans. God expected Israel to be sustained by those beans. God expected Israel to manage those beans. Manage them when locust attacked, manage them from drought and disease, and manage them from Philistines that come to steal.
If Israel lost this bean field to the Philistines, they would have shown themselves to be poor stewards of God’s resources. And the same thing is true for you. You may feel that the only thing God has given you is a little bean field in Oklahoma City. You look around and see others with bean fields, and cornfields, and orchards and cattle. And, all you have is beans. Then the enemy comes, and tries to rob you of your beans. You have a choice: 1) let him have the beans, and hopefully he’ll go away, 2) try striking a deal with the enemy to share the beans, or 3) tells the enemy ‘Take your stinkin’ hands off my beans’!
What do you think Shammah did?
Before I tell you, let’s talk about your beans. God gave you some ‘beans’ called your children. They may be Pinto beans, and they do nothing but give you gas. They may be Jalapeño beans, and make you hot and bothered. They may be coffee beans, and keep you up all night. Regardless of what kind of beans your children are, they’re your beans.
Who gave the devil the right to take your beans? If he wants beans, tell him to ask God to give him some. But you have a choice: 1) let the devil take your children away from you through drugs, alcohol and bad friends, 2) strike a deal with the devil to share your kids. He can have them on school nights and on the weekends, and you have them nights and holidays, or 3) tell the devil to take his hands off of your children!
What will you choose?
But, not only your children, God’s given you your health, your finances, even your faith. It doesn’t matter how much you have, or how long you’ve had it, Satan is out to take it from you unless you resist.
The Bible says in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Do you remember Job? As Satan appeared before God to give an account of his activities, God said, ‘Have you considered my servant Job?’ Satan said, ‘He only serves you because of the ‘beans’ that you’ve given him. God said, ‘Fine, take the ‘beans’, and you’ll see that he’ll still love me.’ So, one by one, Satan took Job’s beans.
· Satan took Job’s oxen and cattle
· Satan took Job’s sheep and servants
· Satan took his camels
· Satan took his sons.
· Satan took his daughters.
· Satan placed a disease, most likely leprosy, on Job….
o And yet, Job still served the Lord!
But, it doesn’t stop there. No, Job didn’t let the enemy keep his ‘beans’. He sat down and waited on the Lord. And one by one, God gave Job back his beans. Two-fold. Before this attack he had 7,000 head of sheep, now he was given 14,000. Before he had 3,000 camels, now 6,000. Before he has 1,000 oxen, now he was blessed to have 2,000. Every son that was killed was restored. Every daughter, as well.
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
And, now, ‘the rest of the story.’ Standing in the middle of a lentil field with the army of the Philistine before him, and the army of Israel hiding behind him, Shammah choice to defend the beans the Lord had given him. And there, in that bean field, one by one, the Philistine army came against Shammah. And, one by one, they fell at his feet. Why did Shammah fight for this bean field? Because it was the right thing to do! Because Mighty Is As Mighty Does!
And the same thing is true for you. God has entrusted you with a certain quantity of ‘beans’. And regardless of what others may do, He expects you to be a good steward with His blessing. Whether your children, be a good steward by bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Whether your health, know how to possess you vessel in sanctification and honor. Whether your finances, give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
And for those of you who will let the enemy take your ‘beans’: If you can’t be trusted in the little things, God can’t trust you with the big! Maybe the people who have more cornfields, and orchards and cattle, first proved themselves as good stewards of a few beans.
So what does it take to be ‘mighty’? It takes a person who knows they’re in the majority with God. It takes a person who refuses to be overcome by the world, the flesh or the devil. It takes a person who will do the right thing, even when others don’t
Being mighty for the Lord is more than what you say, it’s what you do. Why is this? Because Mighty Is As Mighty Does?
Conclusion
Ø So, what ‘mighty’ deeds have you done for the Lord
Ø Have you given up, because you have more enemy than friends? A mighty man or woman knows that with God, they are always in the majority!
Ø Have you overcome the enemy, or is he overcoming you. Shammah refused to be overcome, even when his physical man was exhausted. He went to battle, killing 300 Philistines, and in the process, saw his hand cleave around his sword.
Ø Have you stood up for what’s right, just because its right? Someone who is mighty of the Lord will. Even when others forsake you…even when it doesn’t seem like something to fight and die for…someone who is Mighty for the Lord will stand and fight.
