One Hit Wonder

I’m totally fascinated by “One Hit Wonders“. One hit wonders” are artists or bands who are best known for a single hit song that achieved significant popularity—often charting highly—while the rest of their work failed to gain the same recognition.

Two of my favorites from back in the day  are  “Play That Funky Music” – Wild Cherry (1976) and “The Hustle” – Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony (1975).  You should go to Spotify and listen to them… No… not right now… I have more to share with you.

So… Today I have a brand new “one hit wonder” which is destined to be one of my favorites… from scripture… Shamgar! Ever heard of him? You may have missed him the last time you were in the book of Judges. He only had one verse dedicated to his entire life… Judges 3:31. Here it is…

“After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. He killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad. So he also delivered Israel.”

So… What are we to learn from Shamgar? Doing some research, this is what I found…

The number 600 appears several times in the Bible, often symbolizing strength, completeness in battle, or divine judgment.

Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.  (see picture of oxgoad).

• Significance: Represents an overwhelming victory with an unconventional weapon—suggesting God’s power through human weakness.

• Symbolic takeaway: Victory doesn’t depend on numbers or weapons, but on God’s empowerment.

When I asked God, what do you want me to know about this story, this is what he told me…

“You  are my paradigm… My model… of what My power looks like through human weakness. Do not be discouraged or despise the fact that you’re physical healing is taking so long to come to pass. Your healing journey is more spiritual than it is physical. Although your physical healing is coming to pass in my timing.

My purpose in all of this is to show spiritual strength through human weakness. The delivery of a nation came to a single man with an oxgoad in his hand. My purpose is to use you in your physical weakness to bring hundreds of people to freedom.”

Then I asked the Lord, what do you want me to do? He said.” boast and take pleasure in my weakness” referring me to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10…

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong”.

Trust me… The song of this “one hit wonder” is  hard to sing in the car, in the shower, and as I go about my day. I am hoping it will be a little easier to sing if I put the words to the tune “Play That Funky Music”.  Who knows… Maybe it will end up being a “One Hit Worship Song”.