Something separates a person in a generation. There were 400 men (A generational number), but those that are singled out in the story are the lives of the 30 and the exploits of the 3.

The world has no room for cowards. We must all be ready somehow to toil, to suffer, to die. And yours is not the less noble because no drum beats before you when you go out into your daily battlefields, and no crowds shout about your coming when you return from your daily victory or defeat. -Robert Louis Stevenson

There is nothing wrong with living a regular, routine, ordinary, God glorifying life. But neither is there anything wrong with wanting to live a life of honor, valor and nobility for the sake of God.

God must have loved ordinary people, because he made so many of us.  -President Lincoln

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. -Helen Keller

All major Disney characters (Simba, Belle, Hunchback, Cinderella, Pinocchio) are called to live an extraordinary life and yet they are surrounded by an ordinary cast (like Timon & Pumba in the Lion King…”at your service my Liège”) to help them live out their extraordinary dream, calling, vocation…to the benefit of all others.

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. 9 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 . 10 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. 11 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. So the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

It is people who rise up like out of the ashes the Phoenix. Who track down the storm like an Eagle in order to fly higher. It is not a quick fix seminar or a special visitation that makes you valiant and victorious, more than a conquering Christian.  It is a long obedience in the same direction. You can’t curse the way God led you or else you can’t get to the place he’s taking you.

David saw and developed in these men’s hearts, the character qualities necessary to overcome their own obstacles and these men volunteered to serve the needs of the King and the community that they lived among.

Mighty men of valor come out of the cave. The things that you have built in your life with Christ need to be validated (tried, tested, proven true). So you are taken to the battle ground, the very people, places & things that drove you into the cave.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. – Helen Keller

Christians must learn to fight their own battles. Most Christians desire an easy way and not the way of war. Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle Psalm 144:1.  He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze Psalm 18:34.

“My desire and prayer for you is that your life and your ministry have a radical flavor. A risk-taking flavor. A gutsy, counter-cultural, war-time flavor that makes average American people in your church uncomfortable. A strange mixture of tenderness and toughness that keeps people a little off balance. A pervasive summons to something more, something hazardous, something wonderful. A saltiness and brightness, about your life and your church, something like Jesus” – John Piper

“I Am A Soldier”

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this army at the end of time, or die in it; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If my God needs me, I am there. If He needs me to teach a class, to teach my neighbor, to help someone in need, or just to sit and learn, He can use me because I am there!

I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.

I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing materially. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.

I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me.

I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me, and then allow me to rule with Him.

“I Don’t fear an army of Lions led by a sheep, I fear an army of sheep led by a Lion.”             – Alexander The Great