Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 9-11.
David was a great king, but no greater than the group of fighting men who backed him up and helped him win many great victories. The Bible calls them his “mighty men.” They were strong, valiant, impetuous in battle, and heroic. Their strength was exemplified by the time when three of them broke through enemy lines to get a drink of water for David:
David had a craving and said, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD and he said, “Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did. 1 Chronicles 11:17-19
These three mighty men demonstrated the attitude and actions of the entire group of soldiers. First of all, let’s look at their attitude:
- They were completely loyal to David
- They were fearless and tireless
- They did not give up
Their attitude led them to accomplish great things by their actions:
- They overcame great odds
- They defeated powerful enemies
- They delivered Israel
What was the source of their strength? The Old Testament doesn’t say, but there is a passage in Hebrews 11 that explains it:
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
Faith was the source of their strength. Like modern super-heroes, they were ordinary men and women before faith turned their weakness into strength. I don’t know about you, but I long to do heroic things. The example of David’s mighty men shows us that we can all be strong, heroic, and victorious – if by faith we remain loyal to God, fearlessly take action, and do not give up.
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