CLING TO THE SWORD

From the time that he challenged and defeated Goliath, until the hour of his death at age 70, King David was known as a leader of men, a soldier of soldiers, and a man after God's own heart.

As the great King came to the hour of his death he honored the men that stood with him in battle. These were soldiers who had not flinched in the heat of the battle. They were men who refused to surrender. They were men who would not give up, give in, or give out.

Adino was an Eznite. In an incredible display of strength and prowess he lifted up his spear and killed 800 men in one battle.

Shammah, the son of Agee, stood his ground even though all the other Israeli soldiers deserted him. The Bible tells us that he stood in a field of lentils and slew all the Philistines so that "The Lord wrought a great victory."

Eleazar also stood and fought against the Philistines when his fellow soldiers cowardly ran away. The Scriptures tell us, "He arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand cleave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returend after him only to spoil." (2 Samuel 23:9ff)

These great victories were won by great soldiers--soldiers that fought with COURAGE, with TENACITY, and TO THE BITTER END! They refused to accept defeat. They fought valiently, and they won the victory!

As surely as great victories on the battlefields of Israel were fought and won by men of courage, of tenacity, and determination, so today GREAT SPIRITUAL VICTORIES ARE WON BY MEN OF COURAGE, MEN WITH CONFIDENCE, AND MEN WHO REFUSE TO LET GO OF THEIR SWORDS UNTIL THERE IS VICTORY!

The songwriter had it right!

The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today.

The fight is on, but be not weary,
Be strong and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o'er us,
We'll sing the victor's song at last.

The Apostle Paul knew that ours was a spiritual fight. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

He urged God's people to put on the whole armor of God--a belt of TRUTH, a breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, shoes of THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, a shield of FAITH, the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit which is THE WORD OF GOD! (Ephesians 6:10-18).

COURAGE!
Today we need people with COURAGE! Godly men and women who recognize the danger posed by the enemy of man's soul and who will press forward in the conflict!

The spirit of the courageous is wonderfully captured by Charles Wesley:
Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees,
And looks to that alone!
Laughs at impossibilities,
And cries it shall be done!

CONFIDENCE!
We need men and women with CONFIDENCE! From the beginning of human history the enemy has tried to undermine the confidence of God's people. Too often our lack of confidence defeats us on the spiritual battlefields. Churches lose their raison d'etre, Pastors lose their flocks, parents lose their children, Individuals lose their way, simply because they lose their confidence in the Christ of the Gospel.

Today we witness a serious lack of confidence in our cause? "Should we be so sure of our Church?" Too many lack confidence in the Scriptures? "Should we be so sure of God's infallible and unfailing Word?" And a growing number in our nation lack confidence in our Christ. "Should we believe that He is 'the way, the truth, and the life.'?" (John 14:6)

COMMITMENT
Great victories are never won with a weak grip. PERSEVERENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO VICTORY!

The Apostle Paul does not say, "I'm pretty sure I know whom I've believed." He declares, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12).

You never read the Apostle confessing, "I'm not too ashamed of the Gospel of Christ." He said, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." (Romans 1:16).

He never writes, "I determined to know nothing..." But he did write, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2).

So today we would urge God's people who are in the midst of the great spiritual conflict of ages, CLEAVE TO THE SWORD like Eleazar.

GRIP IT until your knuckles are white and your fingers are glued to the handle.

GRIP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, the Word of the Living God, and NEVER NEVER NEVER LET GO!

Grip it when the enemy says "give up!"
Grip it when the enemy says "you'll never win!"
Grip it when the enemy says "there's no hope"
Grip it when the enemy says, "you're going crazy."

Grip it when the enemy says, "your side is too small to prevail."
Grip it when the enemy says, "let's be reasonable here."
Grip it when the enemy says, "don't be too radical."
Grip it when the enemy says, "stay away from God's house and God's people."

Grip it when the enemy says, "you could win more if you weren't so separated from the world."
Grip it when the enemy says, "do what feels good."
Grip it when the enemy says, "holiness is optional."
Grip it when the enemy says, "a little sin is nothing."

Grip it when the enemy says, "you've messed up this far, you might as well go all the way."
Grip it when the enemy says, "leave your husband, or divorce your wife."
Grip it when the enemy says, "blend the genders and mix their roles."
Grip it when the enemy says, "perversion is straight and straight is perverse."

Grip it when the enemy says, "fit in, don't stand out."

And grip it until you cross from the battlefields of this life into the splendid streets of glory! It will be worth it all when we see Christ.

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair,
But Christ will soon appear, to catch His bride away,
All tears forever over, in God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.
Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ!
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ! By Esther Rusthoi