This series of ten messages is collectively titled, “From Strength to Strength” based upon Psalms 84:7: “They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.” This second message deals with both our private and public allegiance.
1 Chronicles 12:18: “We are yours, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.”
In this chapter David is brought before us as a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. David was God’s appointed and anointed king, but only a few accepted him as such, for the majority were on the side of Saul. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the rightful King. God has appointed and anointed Him “and gave him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9) – but only a few accept Him as such; the vast majority reject Him. Our text addresses the intensity of true devotion:
He needs a variety of men and women who come to Him out of every tribe and nation
Read vv. 24-37 and notice the description given of the men who came to David out of many different tribes. Today, while our King is rejected by the world, the Holy Spirit is calling out a people who in a special sense belong to Him and are on His side. This is the divine plan for our age (Acts 15:14-16; Luke 19:12). Just as King David’s loyal subjects came to him day by day, so the Holy Spirit is calling out men and women day by day to be the loyal subjects of our Savior-King (Acts 2:47). Do you belong to this company of “called out” ones who have been born again by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:23), redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19), and recognize the Lord Jesus as Savior and King?
Per vv. 2, 8, 38, do not imagine that to be a Christian is an easy-going business! The kind of soldiers our Lord wants is indicated by these verses:
“…armed with bows…who could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows…men of might…men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains…men that could keep rank…with a perfect heart.”
The warfare in which we are engaged is a stern one, and our enemy is very powerful (Ephesians 6:12). If we are to be of any use in waging this great spiritual warfare we must be trained, disciplined and properly equipped, and know not only how to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17), but how to use the two weapons – the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) and the prayer of faith (James 5:15, 17, 18). Also, we must be people who have “understanding of the times” (v. 32).
The warfare in which David’s men were engaged was a very costly one, but they were willing to go ahead, even if it meant death. V. 15 pictures the scene: a company of men crossing Jordan when the river was in flood; they were men of grit and backbone. And with all the forces of evil, with all the difficulties that confront the true servants of God and with all the efforts of Satan to overthrow the Word of God, Christians are needed who have grit and backbone. It is very costly to be a Christian in many parts of the world today, and soon world-wide.
Read the second part of v. 8 and v. 21. What mighty men David had in his army! Here we have an illustration of the fact that one with God is a majority (Deuteronomy 32:30). David with his sling, plus God, is a match for any Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50); Gideon and his 300, plus God, is a match for any invading army (Judges 7:22); Peter, plus God, can easily secure his 3000 (Acts 2:14; 41). How have such great victories been achieved by such ‘ordinary’ men and women? See v. 18: “the Spirit of the Lord” – the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 1:8). The need today is for men and women strong in faith (Romans 4:19-20) and filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31).
Look at vv. 16-18 and compare Matthew 11:6. It is easy to doubt and fear if we look at circumstances, but it is vital in worsening conditions we remain loyal to our King.
Vv. 23, 31, 38 tell us that David’s men had one burning desire: to make him king; that also should be our desire. Our King is surely coming – soon!
Conclusion: Can you look above and say to God, “I am yours”?