3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. —Romans 5:3 - 5

11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines.
12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory. —2 Samuel 23:11 -12

1. We are stationed in the middle through identity.

But he stationed himself in the middle of the field… —2 Samuel 23:12a

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” —Romans 8:15

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? —Romans 8:31

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. —John 1:12

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. —2 Timothy 1:7

2. We are positioned in the middle by choice.

But Shammah took a position in the middle of the plot… —2 Samuel 23:1a (CEB)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. —Galatians 2:20

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. —Philippians 3:8

But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. —John 6:68

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. —Colossians 3:3

3. We stand in the middle by faith.

But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field… —2 Samuel 23:12a (NIV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. —Hebrews 11:1

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. —Romans 10:17

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. —Psalms 1:1 - 3

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. —Psalms 119:105

4. We fight in the middle in the Spirit.

But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory. —2 Samuel 23:12

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. —Ephesians 6:10 - 13

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. —Matthew 6:9 - 10

13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” —Joshua 5:13 - 14

5. God will always bring victory from the middle.

11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines.

12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory. —2 Samuel 23:11 - 12

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. —John 1:4

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, —Philippians 2:8 - 10