Post by Emmanuel A. O. on Feb 2, 2013 9:00:50 GMT 1
From Weakling To Warrior TEXT: 1 Samuel 22:1-5
"And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men" (1 Samuel 22:2).
Ever heard about Buffalo Soldiers? They were black soldiers who fought in campaigns against Native Americans during the late 1880s. Although they were segregated from white soldiers, suffered many hardships and often faced discrimination, Buffalo Soldiers gained a reputation for bravery in battle.
From our text, David formed an army from poor, discouraged and disillusioned men. His troubles seem to be unabated. Having been chased out of Gath, he went into a cave in Adulam; but he must secure his parents because those that seek his life will not spare them. While in those dire straits, men who were rejected and oppressed like him began to resort to him. Among them were those who were discontented with Saul’s government and conduct: bitter in soul, distressed and uneasy in their minds, being pinched with want, or pressed with sore afflictions, which made them very disconsolate.
Bringing such rejected and afflicted souls together, he developed their potentials through training and personal example. These men later became mighty men of valour who fought gallantly and were victorious in all the wars they undertook (1 Chronicles 11:10-47). In this, David was a type of Christ, who receives sinners distressed with sin, discontented in their present state, and in debt, unable to pay, pardoning and remaking them into saints with the hope of eternal life.
See what weak instruments God sometimes uses to bring about His own purposes. The Son of David is ready to receive distressed souls and make them victorious soldiers of the cross. He receives all who come unto Him however vile and miserable they are and changes them into a holy people fit for His service and Kingdom.
Thought for the day:
Christ still turns weaklings to winners.
"And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men" (1 Samuel 22:2).
Ever heard about Buffalo Soldiers? They were black soldiers who fought in campaigns against Native Americans during the late 1880s. Although they were segregated from white soldiers, suffered many hardships and often faced discrimination, Buffalo Soldiers gained a reputation for bravery in battle.
From our text, David formed an army from poor, discouraged and disillusioned men. His troubles seem to be unabated. Having been chased out of Gath, he went into a cave in Adulam; but he must secure his parents because those that seek his life will not spare them. While in those dire straits, men who were rejected and oppressed like him began to resort to him. Among them were those who were discontented with Saul’s government and conduct: bitter in soul, distressed and uneasy in their minds, being pinched with want, or pressed with sore afflictions, which made them very disconsolate.
Bringing such rejected and afflicted souls together, he developed their potentials through training and personal example. These men later became mighty men of valour who fought gallantly and were victorious in all the wars they undertook (1 Chronicles 11:10-47). In this, David was a type of Christ, who receives sinners distressed with sin, discontented in their present state, and in debt, unable to pay, pardoning and remaking them into saints with the hope of eternal life.
See what weak instruments God sometimes uses to bring about His own purposes. The Son of David is ready to receive distressed souls and make them victorious soldiers of the cross. He receives all who come unto Him however vile and miserable they are and changes them into a holy people fit for His service and Kingdom.
Thought for the day:
Christ still turns weaklings to winners.