David's Mighty Men
First Chronicles 11 lists a group of people known as the “mighty men” of David. They are also referred to as the “thirty chiefs” or
simply “the Thirty.” These mighty men of David were a group of David’s
toughest military warriors who were credited with heroic feats. Some of
these mighty men of David had considerable military skill. David’s mighty men
served an important role in protecting the king and fighting for the freedom of
their nation, the land of Israel.
This
is a story about some ordinary guys whose reputations grow because of the way
they live their lives. They are not just men. They are men’s men. Heroes,
forever honored in the "hall of faith" of the Bible because of how they handled
their lives and their service to God and the king.
In
verse 10, we are told that these men gave David “strong support in his kingdom.”
It is so critical for any leader called
by God to have a strong support network undergirding his/her ministry. Whenever
God raises up a person to do a work, He will raise up “Mighty Men and Women”
to help do that work. David's mighty men were mighty in valor,
mighty in faith, and anointed with the power of God, and totally supported him and his kingdom. They were not afraid to risk
and to sacrifice. They offered their lives on the altar of the king. Why? Because
they loved the Lord and believed in the king and his calling to ministry.
Oh,
how we all need people like this in our lives! People who love the Lord, who
believe in us, and believe in the ministry God has called us to. Our strength
in ministry comes from the Holy Spirit, but oh what a blessing it is when you
can rely on your support network to stand with you every step of the way. These are the type of people who will pray
for you, pray with you, take risk and sacrifice for you, and do their best to
make sure you succeed in that thing to which God has called you.
Is
God calling you to be a mighty man or woman? Could you be a person like this in
someone’s life? Perhaps the Lord is calling you to be a blessing to someone
else in ministry – to pray for them, to support them, the help them succeed. Does
your pastor need a support team? 72% of pastors report working up to 55 to 75 hours per week. Up to one third of
pastors struggle with anxiety and depression – sometimes because they feel “all
alone” in ministry. Every pastor needs some mighty men and women to stand with
them in their ministry, as does every missionary, every youth minister, every
Christian author, everyone who serves Christ in any manner.
Look around. Who do you see who could use your strong support
in ministry? Prayerfully ask God to make you into their “mighty man” or “mighty
woman.” Take the risk and be a hero to someone today.
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