Like The Army Of God

-July 25, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“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 12:22).

David started off as a shepherd boy, became a mighty warrior, and was anointed as king of Israel. From the time the prophet Samuel anointed him as a teenager or young man, to the time that Judah made him king, to the time he was appointed king over all Israel was many years. He was thirty years old when he became king and reigned for forty years. He was constantly on the run for many years from King Saul who sought to kill him. God protected him and used David’s men to help him.

Many men joined David during those years and fought for him and with him. When they joined up with him, they were disgruntled, in debt, and not what anyone would call a strong, professional army. David, with God’s help turned them into a mighty, loyal army. His fighting force grew to about six hundred, and became a great army, like the army of God.

Not only were they mighty but the were fiercely loyal, extremely devoted and fully obedient to David. Amasai, one of his chief captains expressed his and their loyalty in 1 Chronicles 12:18, “…We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you., and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you…” These men knew that God was with David helping him, and they lended their support and help to him as well.

We as believers in Christ are soldiers of the cross. We are in a spiritual battle against the devil and his evil forces. Paul wrote to Timothy, “You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Are you a dedicated soldier of Christ? Are you fighting the good fight of faith? Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness, and the spiritual hosts of wickedness. Our’s is a spiritual fight not a physical one. The battle is the Lord’s.

Sabine Baring-Gould wrote one of the greatest hymns on this subject, entitled, “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” The second verse says, “Like a mighty army moves the Church of God; Brothers, we are treading where the saints of God have trod, we are not divided, all one body we: one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.”

As believers we form a mighty army for God. The angels are also part of God’s army who are unseen. When the vast Syrian army came to capture and kill the prophet Elisha, his servant was terrified, as anyone would be. Elisha prayed and God opened his eyes to show his servant, the greater army of angels that surrounded them. Just as David led his men to victory after victory, so Jesus leads us to victory in this world. We are on His side, and He is on our side.

Have a blessed and victorious day as soldiers of Christ. We are part of the army of God. May we put on the whole armor of God and be strong and courageous. Stay safe and healthy.

In the service of our King,

Dean