King David was one of the most renown and revered men in history. He not only was a great king but a great military leader, psalmist, and prophet. David had a quality about him that enabled him to inspire and mentor men. When David was in exile and King Saul was hunting him down to kill him, men began to join him at the stronghold cave of Adullum. “And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered to him; and he was a captain over them. Now there was about four hundred with him” (I Samuel 22:2). Perhaps you identify with these men. The world labeled them losers. Ben-aiah was one of these men. He became one of David’s mighty men. He killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day.

Spiritually speaking we all face lions who would love to tear us apart and kill us if they could. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (I Peter 5:8, 9). Like the recent popular song says, you may wonder – “who let the dogs out?” The Word of God tells us that the devil “let the dogs out”. The devil is the enemy of your soul. Like Ben, it’s best to face them head on. To run or live in denial is certain defeat.

Ben-aiah went into the pit. Have you been in the pit? Someone once stated, “When life hands you a lemon, try making lemonade out of it.” Joseph was thrown into a pit and sold to a caravan of slavers by his own brothers. He drew upon God’s grace and overcame much adversity. (See I Peter 5:9, 10.) Perhaps your pit is a dark pit of depression. Do not despair. I’ve been there. Look to God and face down your lions. Through the Son of David, Jesus Christ, you can become a mighty man or woman of God.

It was a snowy day when Ben found himself in the pit facing the lion. His visibility was limited and the ground was slippery. The Bible tells us to be “alert”, to be “firm in your faith”, when you battle your adversary, the devil, “who goes about as a roaring lion”! Is the Son of David, Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of your life? “That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved” (Romans 10:9, 10). “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble, submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:6, 7). God’s mighty men are submitted to the Captain of their Salvation.

In the Old Testament, names were very significant. Ben-aiah knew the following things that enabled him to kill the lion inside a pit on a snowy day.

1) Ben-aiah knew his name. His name meant, “Jehovah has built”. God’s grace and power will make you into a mighty man or woman of faith. Do you know who you are and whose you are? (See John 1:12.)

2) He knew his father (I Chronicles 11:22). Jehoiada meant, “Jehovah known”. Jesus said, “Do not be anxious. Your father in heaven knows even the number of hairs on your head. He knows what you have need of even before you pray. He takes care of the sparrows and you are more valuable to Him than they” (Matthew 6:25-34).

3) He knew his resources. He was valiant because he knew, “For greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). “The God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen you, and establish you” (I Peter 5:9, 10).

4) He knew his destiny. He called you. You have a destiny to be a winner. (See I Peter 5:10 and Ephesians 2:4-.)

5) He knew where he was from. “Kabzeel” meant, “God has gathered”. As David gathered the outcasts of society, who became mighty men, Christ has gathered His people. “Worthy art thou for thou was slain and did purchase for God with thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And thou has made them a kingdom and priests to our God and they will reign upon the earth” (Revelation 5:9, 10).

6) He knew his position. He was one of David’s mighty men. Do you know who and whose you are? “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new” (I Corinthians 5:17).

Ben-aiah went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. You can do the same when
you know who you are and whose you are. Do you have the assurance that the living Christ is with you and in you? You can.

Pray a prayer like this in faith and repentance:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you died on the cross for my sins and arose from the dead. Come into my heart. Forgive me of my sins and take control of my life. Help me to fulfill your plan for my life. In Jesus name, Amen.”