Lentils…are peas, and healthy ones at that. This food product may have been with us since creation. Full of protein, and since the original family was probably vegetarian, it makes sense that they would have eaten a lot of this, with Eve preparing many delicious soups and dishes. Just saying! We do know that they were mentioned throughout the Old Testament. It was a staple for Israel. I have to admit I never have been a pea guy, actually none of them. Give me some good ol’ beans and greens; well, not limas! Might throw in some ham hock or bacon drippings just for taste. You see, I came from Tennessee!

A few weeks back at our DeSoto Fathers Forum, Roy Watson spoke on ‘Dads defending their pea patch’. You had to attend to get the full meaning. It was powerful! How in the world does a pea patch have anything to do with fatherhood? Well, let me share as best I can what Roy said. Dads, listen closely. He started reading from 2 Samuel and turned our attention to a guy of which most of us have never heard. Shammah! This guy had faith I only wish I could match. And so will you once you meet him. First of all, he is one of David’s mighty men. That tells you a lot. Here goes.

“The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of (are you ready for this?) lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. But he (Shammah) stationed himself in the middle of the field, and defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the Lord brought about a great victory”(23:11,12 NKJV).

Look at this! The people fled, Shammah stands alone in the middle of the pea patch, he defends his patch against great odds, kills the bad guys—and the Lord brings about a great victory!!! Wow, is that cool or what!

Preparation coupled with faith allows the Lord to bring great victories. Dads, we are called to be the spiritual head, the faith-filled defender in our homes (pea patches). The enemy is always gathering to defeat us. We are no match for him if we are not prepared and armed. Have you started covering your family in prayer with the full armor of God? And teaching them to do the same? Read Ephesians 6:10-20. Make this your early morning prayer.

How about Psalm 121. The last two verses are powerful. “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” (v. 7-8 NKJV) The psalmist begins this way; “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Does that about cover it? And know who is doing it all through you-right, the Lord. Do you think Shammah was ‘looking unto the hills’ that day? It’s for sure the lentils weren’t going to help him! And everyone else had fled. Guys, even when other believers are cowering; stand your ground, defend your pea patch. Anyone into ‘great victories’? I sure am! Thanks, Roy. Glad I was there that night. I may never look at lentil soup in the same way again.