What It Takes To Kill A Lion In A Pit On A Snowy Day

We all have problems! The cynic says, "Don't bother telling people your troubles. Half of them don't care, and the other half figure you probably had it coming."

Today, I begin with some metaphorical questions!

1. What is worse than being in a valley? – Answer: It is being in a pit!
2. What is worse than being in a pit? – Answer. It is being in a pit on a snowy day!
3. What is worse than being in a pit on a snowy day? – Answer. It is being in a pit on a snowy day with a lion!
4. What is worse than being in a pit on a snowy day with a lion? Answer. – It is being in a pit on a snowy day with a lion, and then having a 7 ½ foot fellow holding a spear with a 2 ½ inch thick handle waiting for you, if you get out!

Now this is what I call being in the pits. Also it is exactly the picture the Scriptures draw of a mighty warrior of David in 1 Chronicles 11:23. 

1 Chronicles 11:22-24 (22) Benaiah son of Jehoiada, whose father was a valiant man of Kabzeel, had done mighty deeds. He slew the two sons of Ariel of Moab. Also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in time of snow. (23) He slew an Egyptian also, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. The Egyptian held a spear like a weaver's beam, and Benaiah went to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and slew him with the man's own spear. (24) These things did Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men.

Now let me continue my questions!

1. Have you ever been through a spiritual valley?
2. Worse than that- Have you ever been through a spiritual pit?
3. Worse than that- Have you ever been through a spiritual pit on a snowy day?
4. Worse than that- Have you ever been through a spiritual pit on a snowy day, and then had to face a demonic lion?
5. Worse than that- Have you ever been through a spiritual pit on a snowy day, faced a demonic lion with a seven and a half foot giant holding a menacing spear ready to either slay you or knock you back into the pit?

Well, if you have you are one of God’s mighty ones!

This is the pits! What are the pits?? Have you ever been in the pits?? Have you ever heard anyone say - "I am in the pits"? Have any of you moms heard your child say -- "this food is the pits!" - This trip is the pits - this class is the pits - this car is the pits? You hear it all the time! - Especially among the youth.... The youth have done more than anyone else to change the vocabulary of the times.... Some of their expressions -- I just cannot keep up with....

The Definition:

Some of you folks will say -- a hole in the ground! Webster will agree with you in that "stone age" definition -- "A pit is a place that is lower than the adjacent level around it" But what are really the pits! I wonder what we would hear -- if we had one of those talk shows with a roving mike! I cannot do that today -- so I will just pretend...

• A young intelligent man-- When the bottom falls out and there is no hope.
• An educator -- When you hit bottom.
• A young Coed - When you go as low as you can go...
• A MOM --- when you go down -- low ---
• Others -- a bad day -- a bad time -- Depression

A Pit is a low place in your life! It is very different from a valley!

(Psalms 7:15 ) He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. (Psalms 9:15 ) The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made:(Psalms 28:1 ) … I become like them that go down into the pit. (Psalms 30:3 ) O LORD, …: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. (Psalms 40:2 ) He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalms 55:23 ) But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: … (Psalms 88:4 ) I am counted with them that go down into the pit:… (Psalms 143:7 ) Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

a) A pit is lower than a valley. It is true that God has arranged for his children to have a series of mountains and valleys. There are some valleys for God's children... But God prepares a highway for His children in the valley!

Isaiah 35:8-9 (8) And a highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way. (9) No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk on it.

b) It is in the valley that he restores our soul....

c) It is in the valley that he makes himself precious to you...

d) It is in the valley that you learn what the Holy Spirit, as comforter really is!

e) It is in the valley that you learn the meaning of grace.

f) It is in the valley that you learn what the church is all about...

g) It is in the valley that you learn what Christ's provision is all about...

(1) Thank God for the valleys and thank him for the mountains... but a pit is different from a valley...

h) A valley has more scenery than a pit!

i) A valley has a slope and you can see out of a valley - But when you get into a pit - about all you can see is its sides! -- Unless you look up! There is no beautiful scenery in a pit -- the mountains on the side are hid -- by the walls of the pit.

j) A valley may have several ways in and out -- a pit only has one way in and one way out! -- The only way to get out of a pit is to go back from the direction you came from - retrace your steps and walk out just like you came into it!

k) There is a sadness - a depression in the pit!

A pit is a LONELY PLACE in your life!

There is not a lot of company in the pits...

There may be people all around you -- but you can be lonely in a crowd -- when you are in the pits... The Bible says that Benaiah went "down" to the pit and the only company he had was a lion! That is so encouraging -- to be in a pit and the only company you have is a lion! That is some company -- I would rather be all alone - than with a lion!

The Bible says -- "David encouraged himself in the Lord!"

1Sa 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

It is hard to sense the presence of anybody around you when you are in the pits! –

A pit is a LIMITED PLACE in your life. There does not seem to be many options for you use to get out!!

• What is worse than -- meeting a lion??? Meeting that lion in a pit! –
• Look at his limitations - The pit. The lion, the snow, the Egyptian warrior!

But that is what God says you and I  are. Even as Beniah We are His mighty ones!!

Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

I am strong in Him; I have His power in me; I can make my stand; and I am prize wrestler! Even as Benaiah I am a mighty one of God!

Philippians 4:4-8 (4) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation (forbearance –kindness –gentleness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Paul was in a pit. I think prison is a real pit. How does Paul deal with his pit? He tells us what we need to know! – If you want out of our pit…

1. Praise your way out (4.4)

2. Keep climbing your way out (4:5)

Four thoughts from the word, "moderation" (v.5)

• Don’t panic
• Don’t give up
• Be kind, and graciousd)
• Always remember and live right! "The LORD is at hand" – you must look up if you are going to get out!

3.. Pray your way out. You are a Christian! You are one of God’s mighty ones!

4. Think your way out! (4.8) filling your mind with good things lifts the spirit, builds your faith, fills the pit, kills the lion, and resists the devil!

Conclusion

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

If you are one of Christ’s mighty ones, you can’t die in the pit. You are already dead! You are dead in Christ. Don't live in the pit. Look up - Look to Jesus and keep looking. You wil get out! You are one of God's mighty ones!