And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. (2 Samuel 23:9-10)
Eleazar’s hand clave unto his sword. He was a man who did not lose his grip! He fought the Philistines, which, in the Bible, are a type of the world. His grip was fast upon his sword, even to the point that his hand could not turn it loose. His hand was so tired and weary, that his fingers and joints could not open to let go of his sword! What a grip he had!
We are in spiritual warfare, and we need a weapon! God has given us the sharpest, greatest sword imaginable!
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)
What a comfort that sword must have been to Eleazar in the day of battle! There was no danger of it gathering dust, for he was in the battle. Some people’s Bibles gather dust, for they have grown used to sitting on the sidelines. We do not think of needing a sword so much when we are not in the battle!
1. Don’t Lose Your Grip So you Can Stand even in the Minority
Others fled. Eleazar and a few men stayed to fight the Philistines.
You may not be in the majority with men, but if you have a grip on the Word of God, you can stand.
2. Don’t Lose Your Grip So You Can Stand for What Matters
Eleazar fought for a parcel of ground full of barley.
It was not even a whole field but only a parcel. Some would say a parcel wasn’t worth it. Some would say that it is only barley. Let the Philistines have it.
Where others saw barley. Eleazar saw the blessings of God.
He was a man who believed that not ONE GRAIN belonged to the world. He would not give one inch to the Philistines.
3. Don’t Lose Your Grip So You Can Stand in the Midst
He was in the midst of the parcel. Some wish to dance on the edge, but this man planted his flag in the midst. With a grip on God’s word, plant yourself in the MIDST of the parcel. Sold out. Totally yielded to God.
By the way, do you know who else likes to get in the midst? The Lord Jesus said He would be in the midst where two or three are gathered together!
This is our reminder that the world, the flesh, and the Devil are our constant foes, but we have a weapon! The word of God is ours! Let us run to it! Let us hide it in our hearts! Let us seek God through the pages of Scripture! Don’t lose your grip!
