I'm all about keeping it real. I'm one to tell things like it is, no matter how they may make others feel though I do my best to speak the truth in love. Honestly, I believe my openness helps people to realize they're not alone in their struggles. Sometimes, it's helpful to others when I admit my weaknesses and explain my failures. In their eyes, it makes me more down-to-earth and more comfortable to relate to. That's a good thing in a ministry of encouragement.
That being said, there are times I have to stuff my feelings and put on a brave face. Though I may be shaking in my boots, I must step up to the current giant in my life and cry, "Let's do this!" Why? Because sometimes, people need me to be vulnerable so they don't feel alone, but other times, they need me to brave. They need me to lead with courage, even if that courage seems to be a million miles from me.
I see this situation taking place in a couple of passages in the Old Testament. Second Samuel 10 and I Chronicles 19 tell the same story. Two enemy armies, the Ammonites and the Syrians, decide to gang up on Israel. Big mistake! According to the numbers, they were the stronger team, but those numbers didn't include God. Still, to the army of Israel, the sheer size of the attacking armies was intimidating, to say the least. And worst of all, the enemy had them surrounded. Yes, it seemed like there was no hope for Israel, but the commander, Joab, wasn't ready to give up just yet. Notice the pep talk he gave to his brother and fellow commander, Abishai.
“When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.”
The plan was set. Joab and his men were to fight the Syrians while Abishai and his troops held off the Ammonites. If either army grew too strong, each side of Israel was to help the other. It was a team effort, and every man had to put forth his best. Notice, if you will, the phrasing Joab uses to encourage Abishai, "let us play the men for our people." The phrase is literally translated as "play the part" or "display strength." I love it!
Joab was scared, no doubt about it. So was Abishai. I'm sure the entire army of Israel was about ready to run and hide. Joab, in his wisdom, knew this wasn't the time for him to admit his fear. He knew it was time to put on his big boy pants. His men needed to see that he wasn't afraid, even if he really was. It was time to play the part of the warrior, whether he felt like one or not. Now, more than ever was the time to display strength. Not his own power, but that of the Lord. He makes that clear in the last phrase of his speech, "the Lord do that which seemeth him good." He knew God was ultimately in control, so no matter what, he was going to act like it. First Chronicles 19 uses different wording in this account, but the context is the same.
“Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight.”
He didn't say, "Let us be valiant." He said, "Let's behave like we're valiant." Let's act like it. Let's play the part. Let's put on our game face. Why? For our people. They're watching. They're afraid. They need encouragement and confidence. They need to know that they're in good hands. And Joab and Abishai made sure their army knew that. While it may have taken every fiber of their being to stop the shaking in their hands and the roiling of their stomachs, they mustered up a good dose of "Let's do this!" and ran head-on into the awaiting enemy.
What happened? According to both passages, as soon as Joab's army advanced, the Syrians ran away. And when the Ammonites realized the Syrians had run away, they did the same thing. Bravery at its finest! I don't know if Israel even had to raise a sword before the enemy went scampering away. Evidently, Joab's and Abishai's game faces were scary enough to cause the enemy to flee before the battle even began.
Confidence in God will do that—send the enemy into flight. While it is sometimes useful to show our vulnerable side, it's also sometimes necessary to play the part of a warrior even when we don't feel like one. Occasionally, we need to put a smile on our face even though we're crying on the inside. Sometimes, we must quiet our nerves and work up the gumption to be brave for the sake of those who need us to lead. It's not always easy, but if we keep in mind what Joab did, it will be a lot easier. God will do that which is right in His sight. The battle is His. The victory is His. He is ultimately the One in control. Therefore, our confidence is not born of our strength but His.
I just overheard Jason talking on the phone to someone about Halloween, which made me realize the irony of this post. In a sense, I'm talking about playing the part or putting on a costume. How appropriate that this post will go out on Halloween, the day of dress-up. So, I could ask you, "Who are you going as this year? What part will you play?"