Old Testament reading: 1 Chronicles 11-12
It takes all kinds. This is true in many aspects of life. It is also true when assembling an effective fighting force. 1 Chronicles 12 tells us of those brave, righteous, and talented men who came to David in his earliest days when he was still a fugitive from Saul (12:1). Seeking a righteous man to lead them, these men came from every corner of Israel. Consider some of the traits these men possessed. The men of Benjamin were skilled in the ways of war, ambidextrous with both the sling and the bow (v 2). Also, these men were willing to take a stand for a righteous cause. The end of verse 2 describes them as “Saul’s brethren.” Kinfolk or not, they forsook a king and aligned themselves with a righteous fugitive. The Gadites were fierce in the face of battle, mighty men of valor with faces like lions and swift in difficult terrain (v 8). This first group were not deterred by obstacles, crossing the Jordan when she had overflowed her banks and raged southward. In verses 16-18 we see men who were unafraid to declare their allegiance and thus unafraid of God’s judgment. The sons of Issachar understood the times and knew what Israel should do (v 32). Might minus wisdom is full of folly. The sons of Zebulun were stouthearted and could keep ranks (v 33). Keeping ranks doesn’t mean they were good marchers. Rather, they were able to stay together when the battle grew hot. Finally, of all the men who came it is said they had loyal hearts and were of one mind to make David king. That’s how battles are fought and won!
New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16
1 Corinthians 15 is sometimes called the great resurrection chapter. In verses 5-9, Paul calls to mind six instances of Jesus being witnessed as risen from the dead. These did not include the women at the tomb or the men on the road to Emmaus. This is why Luke could so confidently write that Jesus “presented Himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3). The resurrection of Jesus is given as proof of the future resurrection of our own bodies. Paul makes it clear that if there is no resurrection of the body, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, our faith is worthless, we are still in our sins and the dead in Christ have no hope (vv 16-18). But thanks be to God that Jesus is risen from the dead!
Leave a Reply