Tag: 1st Chronicles 10-16
Mighty Men
Scripture reading for April 18th: 1st Chronicles 10-16
In today’s culture, men of God are often portrayed as not too bright, weaklings, or slightly effeminate. Many men have lost their sense of identity when it comes to serving the Lord. They tend to take a back seat to women and often fail to be the spiritual leaders of the home or the church. The “mighty men” of king David would certainly not fit the current portrayal of men who serve the Lord.
The mighty men of David’s bodyguard were courageous and knew how to fight! Jashobeam, the chief of the officers, raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter! (2nd Chronicles 11:11) Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was a valiant fighter who went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day! This man then struck down an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall using only a club. Three of the mighty men risked their lives to get David a drink from the well near the gate of Bethlehem. David was so humbled that he poured the water out before the Lord. (2nd Chronicles 11:17-19)
Men of God today have to be just as tough as King David’s men! We are in the army of God! We wrestle with principalities, powers, and rulers and authorities in our daily spiritual battle. (Ephesians 6:10-18) God has called men to lead in the home and the Church. Men are to be men of prayer. (1st Timothy 2:8) We are to be loyal and honor authority! When we do, we honor God and He will honor us!
God is looking for “mighty men” who will serve Him loyally and whole-heartedly! If you are a man, offer yourself to be one of God’s “mighty men”! If you have a husband or son who needs to make this kind of commitment, pray for him today in faith, believing that God is able to bring them into this place of honor! One day we will hear our King say: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things! Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)
The “Mighty Men”!
Scripture reading for April 18: 1st Chronicles 10-16
In today’s culture, men of God are often portrayed as not too bright, weaklings, or slightly effeminate. Many men have lost their sense of identity when it comes to serving the Lord. They tend to take a back seat to women and often fail to be the spiritual leaders of the home or the church. The “mighty men” of king David would certainly not fit the current portrayal of men who serve the Lord.
The mighty men of David’s bodyguard were courageous fighters! Jashobeam, the chief of the officers, raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter! (1st Chronicles 11:11) Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was a valiant fighter who went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day! This man then struck down an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall using only a club. He killed the Egyptian with the man’s own spear! Three of the mighty men risked their lives just to get David a drink from the well near the gate of Bethlehem. David was so humbled that he poured the water out before the Lord. (1st Chronicles 11:17-19)
To be a mighty man today, we have to be just as tough! We are in the army of God! We are wrestling with principalities, powers, and rulers and authorities in the spiritual battle we are in. (Ephesians 6:10-18) We need to have the full armor of God and wield the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, with skill and courage. God has called men to lead in the home and the Church. Men are to be men of prayer. (1st Timothy 2:8) We are to be loyal and honor authority! When we do, we honor God and He can honor us!
God is looking for “mighty men” who will serve Him loyally and whole-heartedly! If you are a man, offer yourself to be one of God’s “mighty men”! If you have a husband or son who needs to make this kind of commitment, pray for him today in faith, believing that God is able to bring them into this place of honor! One day we will hear our King say: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things! Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)
Sweet Psalmist of Israel
Scripture reading for April 19th: 1st Chronicles 10-16
King David is well known for his many psalms. He loved to worship God and was always composing songs that helped express his inner life and feeling during times of joy or hardship. His life stands as a testimony to us of a man after God’s heart who was know as the sweet “Psalmist of Israel”.
Chronicles is a priestly view of events that were also covered by the writers in Samuel and Kings. Chronicles records the return of the Ark of the Testimony in more detail than does the account in Kings. David was zealous for the presence of God being brought to Jerusalem and knew he must find a way to bring it there. He failed to inquire from God’s word how this might be done and Uzzah lost his life when he tried to steady the cart it was riding on. (1st Chronicles 13:9-12) This event angered David and caused him to be afraid of God.
On the second attempt to return the Ark to Jerusalem, David sought directions from the Lord, and found that only the Levites could carry the Ark on their shoulders. He made the proper sacrifices and then worshiped and danced before the Lord with all his might as he lead the procession back to Jerusalem. (1st Chronicles 15:11-15,25-28) That same day he gave Asaph a psalm of thanks that he had composed for the occasion. This psalm was probably sung as they moved the Ark.
This psalm gives thanks to God for His wonderful acts, miracles and wonders He had done. There was thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. In several verses, the psalm extols the Lord among the nations of the earth. (1st Chronicles 16:8,24,28,31) God’s goodness and love are noted and thanks was given. With God in their midst, the nation of Israel was to be a testimony to the nations of the blessing of loving God and having His covenant.
David’s heart for God blessed the people of God and drew them closer to the Lord. His worship was a great example to the people of how to approach God. We are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. David modeled this as he led the procession bringing the Ark of the Presence to Jerusalem!
“The Mighty Men”
Scripture reading for April 18: 1st Chronicles 10-16
In today’s culture, men of God are often portrayed as not too bright, weaklings, or slightly effeminate. Many men have lost their sense of identity when it comes to serving the Lord. They tend to take a back seat to women and often fail to be the spiritual leaders of the home or the church. The “mighty men” of king David would certainly not fit the current portrayal of men who serve the Lord.
The mighty men of David’s bodyguard knew how to fight and had courage! Jashobeam, the chief of the officers, raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter! (2nd Chronicles 11:11) Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was a valiant fighter who went down into a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day! This man then struck down an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall using only a club. He killed the Egyptian with the man’s own spear! Three of the mighty men risked their lives just to get David a drink from the well near the gate of Bethlehem. David was so humbled that he poured the water out before the Lord. (2nd Chronicles 11:17-19)
To be a mighty man today, we have to be just as tough as King David’s men! We are in the army of God! We are wrestling with principalities, powers, and rulers and authorities in the spiritual battle that is before us. (Ephesians 6:10-18) We need to have the full armor of God and wield the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, with skill and courage. God has called men to lead in the home and the Church. Men are to be men of prayer. (1st Timothy 2:8) We are to be loyal and honor authority! When we do, we honor God and He can honor us!
God is looking for “mighty men” who will serve Him loyally and whole-heartedly! If you are a man, offer yourself to be one of God’s “mighty men”! If you have a husband or son who needs to make this kind of commitment, pray for him today in faith, believing that God is able to bring them into this place of honor! One day we will hear our King say: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things! Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)