Turning Away from the Ashes of Doubt

The Lord brought me to 2 Samuel 23:8 this morning. He highlighted the name "Adino." In David's army, Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite was the chief of the captains. He was also called Adino, because of the 800 men slain by him at one time. Adino means "his spear", and the Hebrew root word (adin) means "slender" or "delicate." I find this interesting because his nature was formidable, as warriors are known to be, but it was by his "spear" the 800 men were slain.

This reminds me of Moses. Moses was also known to be formidable. It was when he killed the Egyptian that he became formidable to his own peers, and this was before the exodus. Later, when he came back to lead God's people out of Egypt, it was by his staff that the Red Sea was parted. And then there was Paul who was called Saul before Jesus equipped him with the faith required to accomplish the assignment given him.

Of course, none of this was possible except with and by God. Just like the spear, the staff, and the faith, we are given tools, which is illustrated by these stories. These tools that God blesses us with is an extension of our faith, and God is the author of that same faith. Every believer is armed by God with tools tailored specifically to the person, according to their faith. The tools we wield differ from one person to the next, are similar by contrast, and every believer shares the same captain, who is Jesus Christ.