via TJC
Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag... And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand
1 Chronicles 12:1-2
1 Chronicles 10 is the continuing story of Israel’s defeat after defeat, due to their poor choices and worse leader, King Saul. The chapter ends with death of King Saul and his family at the hands of the Philistines. These were dark times for Israel. Chapter 11 and 12 begins with a new tenor. Even during the terrible years of bad leadership and choices, Israel knew who the real leaders were. And all during those lean years, David’s character steadily drew men of valor and character to him. 300,000+ quality men of valor were drawn to King David. These were men equipped, skilled in the use of their weaponry, trustworthy and who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do. Many were skilled in using both the right hand and the left to sling stones and to shoot arrows. They were experts with shields and spears, swift as gazelles on the mountains and were of an undivided heart… As a coach and pastor, at heart I am a team builder. When young, I wanted everyone on my team. As I endured disappointments and deceptions, I learned that not all men have developed valor. Jesus told us that some men ‘do not have firm rootage in themselves, but are by nature temporizers’, holding out for a better offer. In time, I learned to be like Jesus, exclusive. My newest men’s group has 10 quality men. Perfect? Far from it. But they are becoming a team, skilled in the art of spiritual warfare and love…able to sling stones and shoot arrows using both the right and left hand.
Daily Battle Order:
What sort of man are you? Work to be grafted in with men who are of an undivided heart, men of valor who are willing to be led by The Spirit, who know the times we live in, with knowledge of what our country ought to do.
This is such a great DBO! I was reading Exodus 18 and stopped at verses 20 & 21 which ties in perfectly with this DBO. "Shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work they must do" (verse 20 KJV). Further, "thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of "tens": (verse 21 KJV). How important is it to find such men? Immeasurably! The bottom line is Men of Valor are needed at every level and the Men of Valor with more responsibility need Men of Valor…
What sort of man are you? A deep question to ask.