(stay by the stuff

We’ve all heard that said at times, but let’s look at a two different aspects of that phrase:)

 

(First, in the battle for the LORD, not every soldier is put on the front line.

Similarly, in the world’s armies, some soldiers are stationed at the base camp, while the battle is going on.

They are needed to protect the equipment, the extra guns and ammo, the fuel, as well as the food and water to sustain the army.

If not, those on the frontlines would not last very long.)

 

I Samuel 25:13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

 

I Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

  2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

  3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

 

  8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

  9 So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

  10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

 

  17 And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

  18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.

  19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

 

  21 And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.

  22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.

  23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

  24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

 

(In every church, not everyone is able to go out physically, all the time, with the others.

Some perhaps, were just recently saved, some have health reasons, and some by age, may not be able to spring to the frontline.

When they stay by the stuff, they pray continuously for those on the front line, and support them as they are able to.

An example, Anna, an elderly widow:)

 

Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

 

(Also, collectively, we all do this, in our churches, with the missionaries that we support, out there.)

 

(Then, there is another aspect of, “stay by the stuff”, and that is to not quit,        to not give up.

Even the Philistines, when faced with the ark coming to the battle, encouraged all their terrified soldiers to not quit:)

 

I Samuel 4:9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

 

(And the Holy Ghost had Paul write the same words of encouragement to the church in Corinth:)

 

I Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

 

(We were drafted into the LORD’s army, the moment we were saved, and the enemy has been after us ever since.

The enemy will do whatever it takes to prevent us from giving the gospel.

Additionally, he will also do whatever is necessary to ruin our lives and to ruin the church.

To accomplish these things, the enemy will also do whatever is necessary to get us to quit.)

 

Psalms 78:9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

 

II Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

  16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

 

(When we quit, we end up being no longer being good for much:)

 

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

 

(We end up quitting in an attempt to keep the life we had, but in quitting, we end up ruining our lives:)

 

Luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

 

(Sometimes, thank the LORD, Jesus intervenes, and makes it harder for us to quit:)

 

Jeremiah 20:8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

  9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

 

(But sometimes we insist on still quitting:)

 

John 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

  61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

  65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

  66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

 

(Many quit, but the twelve stayed by the stuff, and Peter explained why they couldn’t quit:)

 

  67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

  68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

 

(Paul encouraged the Galatians not to quit:)

 

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

(Paul encouraged that in order to not quit, that we need to be willing to face some hard things and hard times:)

 

II Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

 

(Paul knowing that very hard times were coming for him, explained why quitting wasn’t an option:)

 

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

(Then, after many battles, at the very end, Paul was therefore able to joyfully say:)

 

II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

(And so, Jesus also encourages us to stay by the stuff:)

 

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

 

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