Man of War and Mighty Men
"Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.” 1 Chronicles 11:10-11, NASU
Anyone and everyone who knows Bible history are very familiar with King David. From the time he was taken from the shepherd’s field in Israel and anointed king by the prophet Samuel, through his gallant leading of his mighty men to remove the ungodly from the land, and onto reigning as king over the tribes of Israel, David bears witness as a large living example in the walk of faith.
The Lord raised up David and put him in positions to first take on the lions and bears attacking the sheep; then the giant Goliath; and further beyond to the people of Canaan who did not know the Living God of Israel but instead served false and evil gods.
During his mighty battles and wars, the men who fought under David’s experienced leadership fought through the rigors of war. Many received wounds and sufferings as they took the Land that was to be theirs, given first to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the generations following them.
How ironic that believers today often fail to understand the natural and spiritual battles that we go through, believing that once saved all becomes a rose garden. But we must realize that that is part of the promise yet to come. The beautiful rose garden.
So, here on this earth it is a battle for us in both the natural and the spiritual, fought on our knees, but at times calling for us to take up arms to destroy the wicked who threaten us and our families.
The Lord Himself, the Anointed One, the One with the armies of heaven on His side, clearly states of things yet to come.
"In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them. "And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” Zechariah 12:8-9, NASU
Is this just a spiritual battle that is coming, which I believe is sooner than many would want to realize, in our day? If I read it correctly, there is some major physical conflict going on “in that day.” The Lord Himself will destroy the nations that come against Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and the Jewish inhabitants. No doubt about that.
Did not Israel have to take the promised land in Joshua and David’s time, and then fight to keep it in the 1948 War of Independence, the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, and today yet battling the ongoing rocket attacks from Hamas in Gaza, and threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon? With Syria’s threats on the east and others further north? And as always, Iran trying to carry out their promises of completely destroying Israel with nuclear bombs while many shut their blind eyes?
Am I also saying that there is war coming in these days in America? Did not the first Americans fight a Revolutionary War, while generations later the Civil War, followed by two world wars and so many after that?
Maybe so. And Christians will be called upon to defend truth, righteousness, and the godly principles the Righteous God has set forth in His Eternal Word. His will being done won’t come by just letting the enemy run amuck in our land, with rampant lawlessness and violence carried out under the guise of “peaceful marches” and “my right to protest any way I want.” His will certainly will be done as it has been done in history gone by.
David’s men fought and won for the King.
American men and women fought for freedom to be maintained in our land and the freedom of others needing our help to defend theirs.
The Lord is raising up godly men and women, brave and courageous, not afraid to give their lives for the lives of the unborn, children, young and old, among all families, and to take a stand and fight for that which is right and true.
I am not a man of war. But our God is a Man of War, and He does and will do whatever it takes to give His people, Jew and Gentile together, that which His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, died, buried, and rose again for - a Bride and people unto Himself.
“The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.” Isaiah 42:13, NASU
Prepare yourself. Our God reigns, and He will have the last word.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People founder