January 26, 2022

Passage Read: 2 Samuel 22 - 1 Kings 1
Meditation Verse: 2 Samuel 23:8

Thought

David's mighty men, the three and the thirty and the commanders of each, were all men of great valor. They all did great deeds, delivering victory to God's people, with no thought for their own lives. They were unwilling to retreat when the odds were against them, when they were ill equipped for battle. They did what needed to be done for the well-being of the people, and left the result with God. And God blessed them and delivered them and gave them victory against impossible odds. These are the men who are honored and remembered before David and for generations after. These are the kind of men God rewards. Their courage and commitment and selflessness are all worthy of emulation. And while I may not be able to fight physical battles like they did, there are spiritual battles that need to be fought. And they require the same degree of selflessness and dedication and courage and trust that God will help me do what needs to be done.

Application

Here I am starting a new work, and it is hard and will be hard. Caring for the needs of a short-handed staff seeking to minister to youth with heavy emotional needs…the burden is immense. But those mighty men didn't calculate the odds and then decide whether to step in or not. They just stepped in, regardless of the danger or chance of success. And God gave them success in spite of the odds. God cares more about the spiritual needs of these people than their physical needs. He provides the one and will even more be willing to supply the other. I shouldn't think of the impossibility, but simply of the need and seek to meet it. God will do what He deems right, and all will be as He desires. I can't change the outcome, only do what valor calls for and leave the result with Him.