July 19, 2024
1 Chronicles 11:22 Jehoiada’s son Benaiah, who was a valiant man, accomplished great things. He was from Kabzeel. He killed two men named Ariel from Moab, and then he also went down into a pit and struck down a lion during a snow storm one day. (ISV)
Our battles are fought and won in the prayer closet. Peter warns us of our enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)
The story of Benaiah has always intrigued me. This brave warrior tracked down a lion in the snow and jumped down in a pit with him, driving his spear through the animal and bringing him to his death! I don’t believe the man was restless and just looking to kill something. He was a trained warrior and gave his life to defend others. He most likely saw this animal be a threat to his village and his people. Perhaps he tracked it down because the tracks had come too close to the people he loved. Knowing the threat was there, he could not ignore it. I’m sure it was watching the children play. It noticed the slow-moving elderly or was watching the livestock. Whatever it was doing, it was too close and too dangerous. The threat had to be eliminated! This principle must be true in our lives as well. The minute we see the tracks of our enemy, we must pray! We have to stop the threat! When we know something is not quite right with our loved ones, our job, our church, our finances, our health, whatever the case, we must pray! We cannot afford to assume he will go away. His tracks are there because he is stalking and seeking to devour! If given a chance, it is what he will do. We are warriors called to make war in the heavenly’s!
2 Corinthians 10:4 I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds. (TLB)
Benaiah was not afraid to take on the lion because he gave no thought of himself but only of those he loved. He knew what he had been equipped and trained to do, and he did it! Are you seeing tracks of the enemy in your life? Are there tracks around your loved ones? Take up your weapons and put him down once and for all! Luke 10:17-19 The 72 returned with joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we speak in your name.” Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions. You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. (NIRV)
Psalm 18:34-39 He trains my hands for battle So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped. I pursued my enemies and overtook them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed. I shattered them, so that they were not able to rise; They fell under my feet. For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. (NASB)