2 Samuel 23:20-23

Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard”.

Thoughts/Story:

One of my favorite stories is of Benaiah. Benaiah didn’t make the top three that many teach about but he did make the next group of 30. Though Benaiah did some impressive things the part that became the theme of one of my summer missions was verse 20. Benaiah chasing a lion on a snowy day into the pit. This act would be so crazy to anyone watching. Yet “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise”, (1 Corinthians 1:27a, NKJV). This act seems to be one of those foolish acts. This foolish dangerous act not only gave him victory that winter but helped him to rise above the others.

It takes a Lion Chaser to do what others won’t. The Lion Chaser will take the risk the moment God says jump not caring who’s watching or what’s at the bottom. All a Lion Chaser cares about is an honorable victory at the end and nothing but victory will stop them not even possible pending death. That may sound extreme but the changes in our history did not come without great risks. Many have died so that others could live free. Some have died so others could have a voice. Yet the ones that died serving and sharing God are the true Lion Chasers I think of. Those that were killed translating and sharing the Bible with commoners being willing to be burned to death for the Word of God to reach the masses. Even Stephen of Acts 7 using his last breath to minister and pray for the very people killing him. These are great Lion Chasers and there are many who haven’t even made it into history.

Today churches are closing and less and less children are coming to Christ in America. America is in need of Missionaries to come here from overseas as much if not more than the ones we have sent out. Now more than ever we are in need of Godly Lion Chasers to bring the Gospel to the World and to our neighborhoods. God is looking for men and women of valor willing to be the last or the first ones standing and fighting for Kingdom building. Willing to allow God to do the impossible through them, but in order to do great things we have to first submit to do the small private things that others may never hear of faithfully. We will not have the courage to stand in dangerous times boldly speaking God’s truths if we don’t first be courageous, bold, faithful in the little things. Let’s be Lion Chasers today where we are assigned.

Prayer:

Father God we thank You. We thank You for giving us life and salvation. We ask that You give us the courage to be bolder today. Building us up to face our fears in the midst of our enemies and those we call friend. Help us to recognize when others are being groomed to be Lion Chasers that we will come beside them to help them on their journeys. Create in us a love for You and Your Kingdom when pleasing You becomes more important than pleasing people. Bring along side us other Lion Chasers that we ourselves will become who You’ve called us to do without hesitation in Jesus name, Amen.