We haven't been good with ending small group on time in the past weeks, so today we made an effort to start and end at 9pm and 10pm. We shared, talked, and prayed pretty efficiently, and ended very shortly after 10. Tommy was really busy and had a friend upstairs waiting to continue working on homework.

I pretty much spent my whole day in the self paced center, completing another quiz and working on pretty challenging scheme programming assignment that involves drawing fonts.

Devotion time questions:

2 Samuel 23

A few more personal reflection questions have been removed, as I regularly do with these questions.

Reflect on the fact that while “the men of Israel retreated,” Eleazar “stood his ground.” Again, “Israel’s troops fled” but “Shammah took his stand.” What does it take to stand your ground when others flee?

Courage and faith in God.

Notice that after Eleazar and Shammah’s valiant actions are described, the text follows with the words, “the LORD brought about a great victory.” What can I learn from this about how God works and the role I need to play in his kingdom work?

Though the men were courageous, strong, and the elite fighters of Israel, it was God who ultimately delivered victories and allowed defeats. The men were to trust in God's plan and fight their hardest, but ultimately the outcome will always be in God's hands.

What are the characteristics of the "mighty men" shown by this exploit? What does this show about their relationship with David, their commander?

The mighty men loved, respected, and obeyed David enough to risk their lives for whatever David asked them to do. They considered his will to be of utmost importance.

How can I exhibit these same characteristics in my relationship with God?

By being selfless, attentive, courageous, and obedient.

What warning does the mention of Uriah’s name in the list of David’s mighty men give?

It reminds us of how powerful sin is. In committing his sin, David didn't simply kill one of his many soldiers, but one of the thirty mighty men, the most respected and valuable men in all of David's army.