In this program Joni talks about her friends Rika and Lisa Marie. Listen in to hear her explain how they are modern-day Eleazars.
We would love to pray for you! Please send us your requests here.
SHAUNA: Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. If you’re like me, Joni is at the top of your list of folks who inspire you. But, who inspires Joni? Well, listen in now as Joni shares her answer.
JONI: Whenever I’m asked about Christians who inspire me, I am so quick to point to people like my friends Lisa Marie and Rika. What do these women have in common? Well, they are fully engaged followers of Jesus, that’s for sure. But they’re both bedridden with painful, chronic conditions. Rika has lived on her bed for 15 years, and Lisa Marie for 20. Stop and think about that. These women live with such severe weakness and pain that they are unable to leave their beds. But these sisters in Christ stand firm because they love the Word of God; they use the Word of God; they employ the Word of God, each and every day. That’s why they inspire me.
And they have a counterpart in Scripture. And let me tell you about him – his name is Eleazar. And his story can be found in 2 Samuel 23. That’s where we read about the exploits of David’s mighty men. But verse 10 makes special note that Eleazar was counted worthy to be next to the three mighty men of David. He received that honor because of what he did during a fierce battle against the Philistines. It seems the fighting was so fierce that the rest of Israel’s army had fled. They gave up ground; they ran away. But 2 Samuel 23:10 says that “Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day.” Wow, look at that. Eleazar stands firm, fighting against the Lord’s enemies; fighting until his hand freezes to his sword. And because of that amazing feat, God brought about a great victory. Oh, my goodness.
And my friends Rika and Lisa Marie with their painful disabilities are, to me, like Eleazar. I mean, maybe others who have chronic conditions turn away and flee from God; maybe others who suffer try to escape, give up ground when pain encroaches. But Rika, Lisa Marie – they stand their ground. The story of Eleazar shows that heroic conflict requires a heroic sword-grasp. And my two friends hold fast to the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. So much so, that they are one with the Sword [that is the Word] – the Sword that they wield. They are so familiar with the Word of God, they use it so frequently, they fight against the enemy of depression with it so valiantly, that their hands [or maybe better yet their hearts] are one with their Sword, just like Eleazar. And that makes them true heroes. And that gains them the victory.
Charles Spurgeon once said that “…heroes don’t cower before the enemy or consider a compromise. God’s heroes put their strength into their sword, that is, the Word of God, and they rush into battle with victory on their mind.” And Dr. Saxtell says that “…the marks of our sword-grasp will be our badge of honor in eternity. When we take hold of the sword, the sword takes hold of us. Because whatever we cling to shapes our grasp.” I thank God for Christian saints like my bedridden friends who stand their ground. They fight off enemies of despair and fear, and resentment. And to me, saints like them are numbered among the mighty ones who fought alongside King David.
SHAUNA: Oh friend, wouldn’t it be great to one day to be numbered alongside David’s mightiest warriors? Would you like to persevere under trial? Well, then contact joniradio.org today where you’ll find all sorts of inspiration to help you keep on keeping on in Christ. Be sure to visit joniradio.org today.
© Joni and Friends