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In a Pit with a Lion 1
By John | June 24, 2008
For the next few weeks we’ll be using Mark Batterson’s “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” to help us stimulate a conversation about God-given opportunities in our lives.
If you’re wondering where Mark got the title for his book, it’s from the great section of II Samuel where the writer lists all of King David’s ‘Mighty Men’. One of them was named Benaiah:
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty men. He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard. (II Samuel 23:20-23)
Now whether Benaiah was chasing the lion or the lion was chasing him, it doesn’t really matter: the lion fell into a pit and Ben had a choice to make:
- go home, heal his wounds, and return to normal or
- do something remarkable by completing the task
Do you struggle with this choice?
Do you see the challenges in your life as opportunities from God to strengthen you and prepare you for serving him in amazing ways?
Would you go down into the pit on a slippery, snowy day to fight that lion if you knew that despite your fears, your exhaustion, and your ‘common sense’ God wanted you to get down there and do something remarkable?
Topics: Books |
June 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I think it’s important that we start lifting up some of these characters from Scripture. These men who were willing to take risks, to be bold, courageous, and even a little feisty for God’s causes. Especially as we speak to men, it’s important that we speak to them within this kind of a paradigm of challenge and cause. I think that’s being more fully realized today within the church and discussions of men’s ministry (Promise Keepers, Church for Men, “Wild at Heart”, etc). http://www.churchformen.com/index.php is an interesting site.
What causes do you see us needing to elevate most and challenge our people to take on?
June 25th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I pretty much feel exhausted every day chasing my little lion “Charlotte” while carry a cub in my belly…I wonder what happened to serving God in amazing and wonderful ways as I think only of when I will eat my next meal…(on the run, sitting, or standing?)How on earth can I still be serving God as a preschool director while raising two children, cleaning my house, cooking..etc. It’s way to easy to loose focus on the important things in life and take risks for God when you’re in survival mode everyday!
July 1st, 2008 at 8:50 am
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