Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Defending The Lentils

The name for my new blog comes from the story of a man called Shammah in the Bible. Of all of King David’s mighty men, Shammah is one of only a few courageous fellas specifically recorded in God’s Word in 2 Samuel 23. So, what was so mighty about this guy Shammah? He guarded a field of lentils.


Yep – he risked his life to defend… beans.


Shammah’s duty was to defend a field of lentils from the Philistine army that was attacking Israel. When the Philistines showed up ready to fight, everyone fled. It says in 2 Sam. 23, “But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.”


King David told Shammah to defend the field of lentils and he did. When everyone else split, Shammah said to himself, “Wait, I have a job to do. I have to guard the beans. I may die but I’m going to stand my ground as I’ve been commissioned by my king to do.”


The Lord has called each one of us to serve Him in some specific way. Sure, some are in the spotlight as teachers, pastors, missionaries, whatever. However, most of us have been called to defend beans. You may think that God has given you an insignificant task. Maybe you’re in a secular workplace and you’ve been called to love your coworkers and live out your faith each day. Maybe your ministry right now is changing poopy diapers. Perhaps you vacuum carpets at your church. Do you sometimes think to yourself, “Man, this doesn’t amount to a hill of beans! Others are on the forefront of the action but I’m stuck in this boring humdrum field where nothing exciting will ever happen..”


1 Cor. 4:2 says, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” Be faithful to do what God has called you to do. Jesus said that those who are faithful in few things will be made ruler over many things. Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:58, “..be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

My desire is that God will use this blog to encourage you to have the heart, the valor, and the faithfulness that Shammah had. God has given you a certain ground of responsibility. It may seem insignificant, small, boring, pointless – just a field of beans. Don’t give up when it gets tough. Hold your ground even if you see a looming army coming to wipe you out. Do what God has called you to do. Your role in God’s story is significant. Stand up in the battle and the Lord will bring the victory. Defend the lentils.