Shamgar: Persistent Courage

12/19/2009 11:40 AM

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time                              Focus:  Shamgar:  persistent courage

Bible Reading & Meditation               Reference:  Judges 3:31

            Message of the verses:  “31 ¶  After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.”

            There is not much known about this man, but it is probably true that he was a judge in Israel.  It is not know how long it took him to kill the 600 Philistines, but that he used an oxgoad is for certain.  An oxgoad is something that was used to make the oxen work.  It has a sharp metal point on one end and a spade like thing on the other end used to clean the plow.

            The oxgoad was probably the only weapon that he had, but put in the hands of God it was enough to get the job done that the Lord wanted him to do.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I have always said that Balaam’s donkey is my favorite character in the OT, and the reason is that his donkey was available to do what the Lord wanted her to do, and not argue or make any excuses, but just did what she was called to do.  The same could probably be said of Shamgar and his oxgoad.

My Steps of Faith for Today:

1. Trust that what I have the Lord will use for His glory.

12/19/2009 11:50 AM