Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 12:19-22.
“From Manasseh also some defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines after consultation sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.” As he went to Ziklag there defected to him from Manasseh: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, captains of thousands who belonged to Manasseh. They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army. For day by day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army like the army of God.” 1 Chronicles 12:19-22.
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We may like to think of ourselves as independent and that we do not need anyone else. But even though David slew Goliath by himself, we have seen in the last two chapters that God brought to David mighty men of valor to help David. So, we should not be resistant to God bringing us people to help us and to accomplish God’s purpose.
We also have seen in the last two chapters, especially in today’s Scripture as highlighted above, that “day by day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army like the army of God.” So, we should not get discouraged if it takes time for us to get the total amount of support that we need.
Most generally, the Lord added to His church “day by day”. “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47.
More specifically, today’s Scripture provides two hopes. First, God give us favor with the people (to some extent) to accomplish His purpose. Second, God provides the type of people that we need.
Consider the following supporting Scriptures.
“3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4.
“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.
“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:27-28.
“And He (Christ) gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 