Be Ye Men of Valor
These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory. 2 Samuel 23:8 – 12
Adino the Eznite, Eleazar the son of Dodo, and Shammah the son of Agee were the three distinguished men among the valiant men that surrounded David during his reign as king in Israel. They were men of substance, men of strength and highly courageous, ready to do all that it takes to maintain fruitfulness within their kingdom, subdue the earth with all her opposing forces, and multiply therein. As such their names become inscribed in the book of life.
A man of valor must arm himself with the grand weapons which are not canal, but mighty in God, able to pull down strongholds, empowered to cast down imaginations of the devil and equipped to subdue everything and souls that exalts itself against the knowledge of the Almighty. Just like Adino the Eznite brought down 800 men at one time by the power of the Lord God Almighty, so also Simon Peter brought up about three thousand souls in one ministration by the power of the holy spirit. You also, as a man of valor is equipped to reach out to defiant minds and bring them to the obedience of Christ.
Ye are a man of valor, when you can command the standing ovation of your Lord and master, just like Evangelist Stephen did Acts 7:56, than to look upon the decay of your generation with levity.
Zechariah 10:5 says “They shall be like mighty men, Who tread down [their enemies] In the mire of the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the LORD is with them, And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.”
You must not allow yourself to be intimidated by the presence of evil agents that protrude themselves in human forms proclaiming and encouraging satanic pleasures, such as free sex, same gender marriages, occult gatherings, harming others, prayer free school, Godless societies, and the likes, which had led to the destruction of many in times past. Rather, be a strong follower of Christ, doing the will of the father and having no confidence in the flesh. You are not at anytime expected to forget that the battle is not against human flesh, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of our time, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Having received His Majesty’s commission therefore, your task is not only to win the battle, but, to win the war through the power of the Holy Spirit that works in you. You must put on the whole armor of God, continually guard yourself with prayer, be well immersed in the word and the acts of the word, ready to share the good news in season and out of season. Above all things, you need to be well drenched in love, having fervent love for everyone because “love will cover a multitude of sins.” just like Jesus teaches me that to him who loves more, more will be forgiven. Luke 7:47
Remember, that “they overcame by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even unto death”. That is what these unique men among the great men of David did, it’s what the greatest apostles among the apostles of old did, it’s what you also as a man of valor must do, that your joy may be full. The peace of God be with you. Amen.
‘Tunji Oreyingbo
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