Today’s writing actually comes from a sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick out of Elevation Church. Furtick preached on the following Bible verses:
2 Samuel 21: 15-17 (15)”Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. (16) And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. (17) But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, ‘Never again will you go out with us to battle so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.'”
Nearly everyone is familiar with the biblical account of David and Goliath. The story of how a young boy killed a nearly 10 foot tall giant from Philistia is the OG of underdog stories! David goes on to become the King of Israel and leads his people well, true, and honorably. The excerpted event above, however, comes roughly 20 years after the giant tale of lore. Did you notice whom the same David and his people are STILL fighting against? The Philistines.
Furtick draws some incredible application out of the passage in chiefly two arenas, of which we at Health 1st thought too invaluable to not pass on. I encourage you to reflect on these two concepts this upcoming week:
- What in your life are you “battling” that you no longer need to? Is there a ‘devil’ that is stealing your creativity, your joy, and even your daily mental energy prohibiting you from focusing upon the tasks or people of the present?
- Notice Abishai. At a time when David thought that he had reached the end, in came Abishai (one of David’s Mighty Men), to rescue his king!
I would like to focus chiefly on the second application piece and propose the question: What stage do you currently find yourself in? Are you more like David: fighting, scratching, and clawing the way you ‘always have,’ but to no avail? Just when you seem to be making some headway, you feel as though you have been dragged back down to square 1, or even worse? Or, on the contrary, do you find yourself in the role of an Abishai? Maybe you have noticed friends, relatives, your spouse, kids, etc. that are seeking and searching for anything. Any sort of helping hand would be as welcomed as a glass of cold water after square-baling a rack of hay!
Now, we have talked extensively in our blog writings about avoiding victim mentality, taking ownership, etc. These concepts are still incredibly relevant. With that being said, however, there are also some seasons where we may find ourselves at the perceived end of our proverbial ropes. This was true for me when it came to my football career and the conflicting desire to go to the NFL. This was literally the only dream that I had had from the time that I was 8 years old. I can’t even tell you how many times that I had recited out loud, “With the 1st pick in the 2017 Draft, the MN Vikings, select QB Brock Baumgarn, (yes, I had calculated when I would be picked back in 2003 lol)!” When I broke my left foot my freshman year of college, I put my head down and fought back. That Spring, I broke the other foot…and worked hard to return. The following Fall, I tore every tendon and ligament in my left elbow when I severely hyperextended it on a routine kickoff play. I thought that I could work myself back like I had done previously, but mentally and physically, I recognized that this was the end…and I was in a very dark place. I had two previously unknown men named Matt and Nick step into my life, seeing my light beginning to dim significantly. These men were my “Abishai.” As much as I wanted to deny it, I knew in my heart that a new season of life had come upon me, and I couldn’t go back to the “same ‘ole, same ‘ole” and expect a different outcome. To be transparent, football had become an idol in my life and I don’t know where I’d be without those two.
After reading that brief synopsis, is there someone that comes to your mind personally? Whom do you know that 2020 had been exceptionally hard on, that could use either a word of encouragement or a full-out rescue mission for redirection, consolation, or edification?
On the other hand, perhaps you are in a similar boat to David in 2 Samuel 21. If that is you, I would like to encourage you to take stock of where you currently reside. Maybe there is an element of your life that is putting unnecessary pressure on your ‘light.’ Whether it be watching the news, or engaging in nonessential gossip, or a friendship that is all-but uplifting, reach out!
I’m convinced that we were created to live in relationship with others. “The Lone Ranger,” Aragorn, and Batman all claimed that they “work alone;” but if that were truly the case Tonto, Legolas, and Robin would cease to exist.
Regardless of if February 2021 feels more like an Abishai or David season to you, do what it takes to get back on the path, to a healthier and better you than you were yesterday. No matter how hard any circumstance has hit you, as David’s men said, your light is needed. Don’t let your “lamp” be “extinguished!”
For the sermon in it’s entirety, follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsJO8Y_kARk&t=1s
Until next time,
– Brock Baumgarn CA, Nutrition Consultant, Health 1st Chiropractic