“Benaiah... had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did and won a name among three mighty men. He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard.” - II Samuel 23:20-23 NKJV
Benaiah was a man of significant prowess; specifically in the realm of warfare. Intriguingly his name means, “Son of the Lord.” It brings to mind a statement that Jesus once made about children of God,
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” - Matthew 9:5
Notice he did not say, peacekeeper, he said peacemaker. There is a difference between the two. To make peace, one sometimes can not keep the peace -- he first must make war. Benaiah was a peacemaker!
We all want peace. We long for it. In fact, surveys say it is the thing we long for most in our relationships. But, peace doesn’t just happen. It isn’t passive, it is active. Sometimes, we must fight for it! And, according to Jesus, doing so, proves we are blessed children of the Lord.
CONSIDER:
Sometimes, you have to make war to make peace.
Is there a new intensity that needs to come to your prayer life? (Ref. Ephesians 6; James 5:16)
Do you need to take captive thoughts that are hindering your peace? (2 Corinthians 10:5)