What Are You Clinging To 

There’s a story that is a few verses long in 2 Samuel 23. This is a story about Eleazar. The philistines had gathered together to battle the army of Israel. For some reason all the men of Israel fled, all but Eleazar. He stood and fought them with no man beside him. He wasn’t alone because God was with him as it says in verse 10 the LORD wrought a great victory that day. But Eleazar fought until he was weary (one translation says he was exhausted) and his hand clave unto the sword. 

With the understanding that the sword of the Spirit is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17) we can glean some things from this. We will enter battles in our walk with God. Some of these battles we may even feel like Eleazar or Paul who said at first no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me (2 Timothy 4:16-17 KJV). We may feel alone in our battle, but God will not forsake us. If we like Eleazar cling unto the sword, our sword being the Word of God. Then we will be victorious. The battle may get hard, it may last longer than we’d anticipated. We may get exhausted from the battle. If we cling to the Word of God then we will overcome, we will not perish. 

If we find ourselves trying to find strength or peace in anything else we will find ourselves leaning on the arm of flesh (2 Chronicles 32:8 KJV).  This will fail us. If we’re in a battle, stressed or exhausted and the first thing we do is grab our phones and start looking for answers then this is the arm of flesh. Be it using entertainment to dull our senses so we don’t feel the pressure. Buying things to lift our endorphins. Looking for a remedy for through means of the world. These are all leaning on the arm of flesh and are temporary fixes. 

We should rather say as Hezekiah in the same verse the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles (2 Chronicles 32:8 KJV).

We should cling so hard to the Word that we can’t let it go. This is where we find our strength. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word (Psalm 119:28 KJV). This is where we find our hope. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word (Psalm 119:114 KJV). This is where we find our peace. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3 KJV).

How do we experience these things? How do we win the battle? We put on the armor of God from Ephesians 6:14-17. How do we do that? By the Word of God. 

If you’re going to stand, stand on something that will last. The word of our God shall stand for ever (Isaiah 40:8 KJV).

If you’re going to be girt about with truth know that the word is truth (John 17:17 KJV).

If you are going to have on the breastplate of righteousness then know the word of the LORD is right (Psalm 33:4 KJV). And all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness(2 Timothy 3:16 KJV).

If you are going to have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Then hear the words of Paul. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV).

And the words of John. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1 KJV). And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14 KJV). That very Word that was made flesh said: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid(John 14:27 KJV).

If you’re going to take the shield of faith. Know that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV).

If you take the helmet of salvation then know it comes from the Word. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word (Psalm 119:41 KJV).

If you’re going to take the sword of the Spirit. Know that it is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17 KJV). And the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

So arm yourself, protect yourself, engulf yourself in the Word of God. This is how you put on the armor of God. This is how you win, even if you’re exhausted. Lean on His Word. Cling to the Word. Let it become part of who you are. As the old saying goes, a Bible falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t. 

Psalm 119:11 KJV Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 18:39 KJV For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle…