Shamgar's Three Steps to Victory

Judges 3:31

Shamgar's story is brief – one verse – but that's all he needs to teach us that God's champions start where they are, use what they have and do what they can.

Shamgar started where he was.

He was a farmer, not a soldier. He wasn’t even armed properly. These were a difficult days for Israel. They were, once again, under the thumb of another nation. The streets were abandoned and village life ceased. (Judges 5:6)

These desperate circumstances motivated Shamgar to act even though his people had no weapons. (Judges 5:8) He didn’t wait for better circumstances or greater resources to act. He started where he was.

Shamgar used what he had.

An oxgoad is a farm tool. It was a stick with a metal point on one end to keep the oxen moving and a paddle on the other end to clean debris from the plow.

We don’t need a lot of things that we think we need in to be successful. You may be lacking money, education, health, skill or opportunity but you can start where you are and use what you have. Put God first in your life and all the rest will be added.

Instead of focusing on what he lacked, Shamgar used what he had.

Shamgar did what he could.

He was not a ruler. He did lead an army. He was a local hero and an extraordinary warrior. The 600 Philistines he killed with his oxgoad would not have freed Israel but it was a significant contribution.

The Kingdom of God is seen in countless small acts. Jesus taught us that even a cup of cold water given in His name is significant. (Mark 9:41)

Because Shamgar did what he could, "He too saved Israel."

Baptist Temple during the Great Depression

photo by Dorthea Lang

The era of the Great Depression (1930-41) was a time of tremendous ministry growth for Baptist Temple under the leadership of Pastor Jessie Yelvington. San Antonio's population was growing and so was the church. Sunday school enrollment was over one thousand in 1929 and a new education building was needed. The three story building (today known as building 2) cost $55,000. Sunday school attendance on day the building was dedicated (October 5, 1930) set a record at 1221.

As the number of homeless grew, a tent city emerged on an empty field at the east end of Drexel Avenue; the current location of the Rosemont Apartments. It was one of the many “Hoovervilles” where the homeless gathered during that era. From 1929 to 1932 Baptist Temple provided food and clothing to this transient community. Records from those years show members with “tent city” as their home address.

Baptist Temple's Vine Street Mission (402 Vine St.) was, also, a front-line ministry during the Great Depression. Alfred Brown led a team of workers who maintained a soup kitchen and offered worship on Sundays. Canned food and staples were also distributed. The building was sold in 1948 to fund the start of Highland Hills Baptist Church.

Yelvington left Baptist Temple in March 1938 to accept a position as evangelist for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. At thirteen years and seven months, he had the longest tenure to date of any pastor at Baptist Temple. During his tenure membership had grown to 2079, Sunday school enrollment was 1750 and Sunday school average attendance was 882; all record numbers. The 120 baptisms recorded that year were one shy of the record set in 1933.

Among the people joining Baptist Temple during this time was Country Music Hall of Fame member, Ernest Tubb, who was part of the Baptist Temple family from 1934 to 39, while we worked as a singer at KONO-AM radio. 

Love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 22:39

God's Champions Overcome Their Weakness and Seize the Day

Judges 3:12-30

What some may view as a handicap can become a strength in God's hands. In fact, God’s ability to use us should raise our expectations.  

 

Ehud was unable to use his right hand. So, he could not be a soldier and would not be seen as a threat by the Moabite warlord Eglon. Eglon (who was the original Jabba the Hutt) had taken over Israel.

Although, he was disabled, Ehud creatively used what God had given him. He would be the one bringing the required payment of protection money to Eglon, so he made a dagger that would be concealed on his right thigh. He knew they would not search a cripple very closely. He would get Eglon alone, kill him and escape before his guards could react.

Ehud could have dwelt on his disability and doubted his value to God. He could have passed on the opportunity of taking the tribute to Eglon. Instead, he trusted God and seized the opportunity.

Two shoe salesmen were sent to Africa during the early 20th Century. One sent a telegram home that said: “Get me home. Nobody here has shoes.”

The other’s telegram said: “Send me all of the shoes you can. Nobody here has shoes.”

No matter how weak or limited we might feel, we are capable of great things for God. What brings victory in our lives, allows us to serve and be used by God, is neither our own strength nor our list of credentials. It is our faith in God through Christ.

You can be a spiritual champion like Ehud if you are ready to act when God presents an opportunity, even if you have to act alone. Someone has to be first.

You have to be courageous. Ehud was willing to do a scary thing. God's will can take us out of our comfort zone and turn our weakness into strength.

You have to be a leader: Victory was not complete until Ehud got others involved. He rallied his countrymen and completed the defeat of the Moabites.

Be a spiritual champion in your generation.