Icy snowflakes barrel down through a foggy sky. Layers of precipitation distort the periphery as the light of God loom up above. The light pierces through. Strength springs forth.
Snowy weather cannot halt a warrior. Nor can the blizzard freeze a heart with paralysis. Warriors keep going despite the scars of battles before.
In 2 Samuel 23, one of Israel’s warriors battles a lion in the middle of a snow storm. And wins.
“Benaiah son of Jehoiada was the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.”
2 Samuel 23:20
The Bible describes him as “the son of a brave man.”
Bravery runs in the family. Bravery stems from a heritage of courage and valor that can also go unnoticed. But God notices. God sees. God sees our motives.
Your motives influence who you are and what you do. God is the only one who can see through the heart to judge your motives rightly. No one else can.
“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5
God knows your heart and motives. So do not try to prove your motives to others. Trust God’s affirmation of you.
Benaiah did not need anyone to affirm him. He was a warrior because it’s in his blood. He cannot be anything other than who he is.
Benaiah went down into a pit in the middle of freezing weather. And he was strong enough to get up too.
Benaiah climbed out of the pit after he killed the lion and went on his way because verse 21 indicates he also battled an Egyptian and won. Soon after, David honors him for his achievements.
“He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.” 2 Samuel 23:23
Benaiah was powerful in and of himself because of God.
Remember the greatness already in you.
Life and God 