And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.
--1 Chronicles 12:21-22 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 11, 2013 of Psalm 119:65-72; Colossians 1:1-20; 1 Chronicles 12-13.
Before David was forced to flee Saul's service out of fear for his life, he led part of the king's army against the united kingdom's enemies. He proved to be a powerful warrior and capable leader, respected and loved by those who served under him. Some of his senior officers remained very loyal to David and stayed with him as he fled Saul. Others came to him later, as the king strayed further from God's voice. We see in the scripture that all of these men who joined David were mighty men, courageous and loyal, and very skilled and accomplished in the ways of war. They formed a bodyguard around David, protecting him from the raiding bands of bandits that roamed and worked with seeming impunity in the wilderness area through which David fled. They stood by David against Saul, their king and countryman. And as the followers of David accumulated, these mighty men became the captains of his army. Now this was no small force. By the time David came to Hebron, this "great army", described as being "like the army of God", numbered about 350,000 fighting men. What an awesome sight they must have presented, like God's army in formation. They came from all over Israel and Judah, from every tribe of the sons of Jacob. This shows the broad-based support David received from the people, who came together for the sole purpose of turning the kingdom over to him.
All this came about as God willed, "according to the word of the Lord", we are told in verse 23. Saul did evil in the eyes of God so He willed that David would take over as king, the man after His own heart, the one who He had declared would be king while he was still a youth. God proclaimed it, so it had to happen. The Lord was with David and gave him the talents and skills he needed to succeed. God surrounded David with strong, skilled, valiant, loyal men. And God drew David's followers into a great army, gathered from all the children of Israel.
Each person in this slice of history had a specific role to play in effecting God's will. Each person had to do their part for the Lord's plan to be accomplished, for they were directed by God. Mighty men of valor, fully equipped to serve God as He willed. We may not consider ourselves mighty, but we can be valiant and loyal as we stand by Jesus and our faith in Him. We can carry out His commission to us by spreading His Gospel throughout the world, or at least in our neighborhood or circle of friends. And we can be a part of fulfilling the Father's plan and some day every knee will bow to Jesus and every voice will call Him Lord. Be mighty for Jesus. Amen.
Father, we may not be mighty in stature, nor skilled for doing battle against our true enemy Satan, but we can be mighty in spirit and stand against our greatest foe with Your help. Lord we long to be a part of Your great army, the real army of God, and stand up for Jesus against His detractors. Please give us the strength and courage to face those we fear will ridicule us. Help us be loyal and brave in every battle we face each day. In the holy name of Your Son Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
All this came about as God willed, "according to the word of the Lord", we are told in verse 23. Saul did evil in the eyes of God so He willed that David would take over as king, the man after His own heart, the one who He had declared would be king while he was still a youth. God proclaimed it, so it had to happen. The Lord was with David and gave him the talents and skills he needed to succeed. God surrounded David with strong, skilled, valiant, loyal men. And God drew David's followers into a great army, gathered from all the children of Israel.
Each person in this slice of history had a specific role to play in effecting God's will. Each person had to do their part for the Lord's plan to be accomplished, for they were directed by God. Mighty men of valor, fully equipped to serve God as He willed. We may not consider ourselves mighty, but we can be valiant and loyal as we stand by Jesus and our faith in Him. We can carry out His commission to us by spreading His Gospel throughout the world, or at least in our neighborhood or circle of friends. And we can be a part of fulfilling the Father's plan and some day every knee will bow to Jesus and every voice will call Him Lord. Be mighty for Jesus. Amen.
Father, we may not be mighty in stature, nor skilled for doing battle against our true enemy Satan, but we can be mighty in spirit and stand against our greatest foe with Your help. Lord we long to be a part of Your great army, the real army of God, and stand up for Jesus against His detractors. Please give us the strength and courage to face those we fear will ridicule us. Help us be loyal and brave in every battle we face each day. In the holy name of Your Son Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
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