The Three

These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle. Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled. He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder! Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, but Shammah held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory. [2 Samuel 23.8-12]

Although there is no record of it being so, the story of the Three Musketeers makes me think of David's Three. Or maybe it's the other way around...

What is it about the elite of the elite among fighting men that is so intriguing? There is just something that attracts us...

The apostle Paul described his effort to live for God like this:

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. [1 Corinthians 9.26] (NKJV says, Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.)

And then, in two different instances in his first letter to his protégé, Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to "fight" the good fight of faith.

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. [1 Timothy 1:18]

Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. [1 Timothy 6:12]

And then, at the end of his life, Paul makes the following statement to Timothy:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [2 Timothy 4.7]

I guess the bottom line is this: life is a fight. Whether one fights for God or against God is their choice, but struggle and conflict are a reality either way.

Will we fight the good fight of faith with passion or simply exist? Will we be known for our fight of faith or live our entire lives in faithless complacency? Is what I believe worth fighting for? Is what I believe worth dying for?

Father, there is so much more that could be said on this topic today. Help me to consider my life and what I struggle with... May I be found a champion of champions in my fight to believe as Jesus instructed!