1 Chronicles 12:1–13:14, 1 Timothy 6:11–21, Psalm
81:1–82:8
“Now these are the men who
came to David at Ziklag, while he could not move about freely because of Saul
the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war.... For
from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army,
like an army of God.” (1 Chronicles 12:1, 22)
David’s army was composed of bowmen who “could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the
right or left hand,” and experts with shield and spear “with faces like the faces of lions.” Some of the “least were a match for a hundred men and the greatest
for a thousand.”
These were brave warriors and their numbers were large,
possibly 350,000 men. Several verses describe how the supporters who stayed
home supplied them with food. All of this shows the leadership ability of
David.
I am reminded that Jesus is called a Son of David, not
just because David is in His ancestry, but because David was a type or shadow
of Jesus. This OT king was not perfect, but his leadership skills pointed ahead
to the greatest Leader who also has a greater army.
Those who believe in Jesus are warriors, fighting battles,
but not the same as the battles David fought. The NT army of God fights with
different weapons against different foes. We are more than conquerors because Jesus
has already defeated the leader of the dark side.
While the number of Christians from those early days until
now is an immense army, sometimes the saints of God fight spiritual battles seemingly
alone, or at least without human help. It has been said that with God on my
side, I am a majority. This is true, but my battles against the liar, Satan,
often are attacks involving that sense of being alone and without the support
of other Christians or even God. In times like that, the Word of God is a
warrior beside me, encouraging me to victory, not over physical enemies, but
over evil.
“But as for you, O man of God,
flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness,
gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to
which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the
presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11–12)
My battle is to keep my faith in every situation, to
persist in trusting and holding my ground. Of course my Leader helps me. He says
that He will never leave me or forsake me. He reminds me of all the examples in
the OT of how He persisted with His people Israel, even when they failed to
trust Him and follow Him. As the psalmist says, all I need is to be open to His
offer....
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of
the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people did
not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to
their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would
listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their
enemies and turn my hand against their foes.” (Psalm 81:10–14)
Every time temptation comes and I yield to God asking for
grace, He gives it. He subdues my enemies in the blink of an eye, making me
glad that I live under the new covenant. My weapons are not spears and swords,
but the love and support of God’s people and the mighty arm of God. I have
victory over sin because of Jesus. All I need to do is whisper a small breath
of prayer, and my loving and almighty God comes to fight for me.
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