A Day-by-day devotional

April 24, 2023

Just a field of lentils

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Psalms 22-29

Scripture of the Day: 2 Samuel 23:11-12

Shammah was among David’s best and finest fighting men. And his story is far from usual. We could read about recounts of great warriors braving the battlefield, standing their ground to defend a valuable territory. Shammah won a victory for Israel. However, he did not hold his ground in defense of a great and mighty city. He fought to defend a field of lentils.

In their study of Lehi where the battle took place, bible scholars asserted that it was of no strategic significance in military terms whatsoever. This was probably the reason why Shammah remained the last man standing, fighting for it while the rest of his comrades abandoned their posts during the Philistine attack.

What is to defend in a field of lentils anyway? Lentils may be delicious, but definitely not that valuable to fight for with one’s life. Nevertheless, Shammah fought for it as though his life depended on it. It probably did. It is highly likely that the field provided for his family. It is possible that it was his source of sustenance. In essence, he was not defending just a field of lentils but the welfare of his family.

With all his strength, even when alone, he defended what the Lord entrusted to him for his family. Through it, the Lord gave him a great victory!

To the outside world, Shammah was defending only a field of lentils. But to him, it is his life resource. Little though it might seem to be, he was able to look beyond. He was faithful in the small things! He values what God entrusted Him. He cares for that which God has given.

Oftentimes, we tend to dream big, draw up great visions. There is nothing wrong with that, especially if it’s a God-given vision. However, in everyday life, there are mundane, everyday things that we need to carry out. If we are not able to do the small tasks faithfully with a cheerful heart, how can we ever move on to doing the big tasks? The simple, everyday things that the Lord puts in our hearts to do might seem mundane. There is definitely no glamour in the mundane. However, our faithfulness in fulfilling them is often what counts in the end. It is winning the small battles that leads to victory in war.

It may just be a field of lentils. However, if God has entrusted it to you, you have to follow through. In God’s kingdom work, there is no such thing as small things. What we consider to be a small assignment is still a part of the calling that God has in your life. What makes you a mighty man or woman of God is not your ability to win all the big battles of life. It is your faithfulness in the small, non-glamorous everyday things in life.

Reflection: Has God given you a great vision? Have you been wondering why it feels that its realization is far-fetched? Examine the everyday things that are right before you. What has been your attitude towards them?

Prayer: Lord, you have entrusted me with plentiful gifts and resources. Help me to become faithful in fulfilling your purpose for me, even in what I think to be just a field of lentils. Help me stand my ground in the simple, the boring and the mundane. Amen.