And also the relatives

I Chronicles 13:40 And also their relatives … came bringing food on donkeys and on camels and on mules an don oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, oxen and sheep …

Chapter 12 is full of information about David’s fighting men, their great soldiering abilities and readiness for battle.  Verse 2 tells us the “mighty men” were gifted ambidextrous warriors; verse 8 says they were experts with determination and strength even on their faces and that they were fast and sure-footed.  By the end of the chapter, I felt rather intimidated by the strength, bravery, and readiness of this great army around David.  I felt that way UNTIL I noticed who else is listed at the very end of the chapter.  Not everyone could be a strong and fearsome warrior in the fighting army.  Their supportive relatives had an equally vital role to play.  They are the ones who made it possible for the army to be battle-ready.  They came by the droves, by every means available, bringing food for these “might men” and the army.  Their role was as important as that of the mighty men and the rest of the army.  How encouraging to know that even if I am not a “mighty man” with special skills or abilities, I can have a supportive role in the accomplishments of those who are more actively engaged in the fight.

Why Jesus came

Luke 1:71, 74-75 … that we should be saved from our enemies … that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

In these verses that are part of Zechariah’s blessing over the birth of his son, John the Baptist, I see God’s plan of salvation in a nutshell.  God’s purpose in sending Jesus as the Messiah was in order to save us from our enemies, sin and death.  Once we are delivered form the clutches of sin and death we are able and ready for “phase two” of God’s plan.  We are ready to serve God all the rest of our lives without any fear of those enemies.  We have His holiness on our side for the battle of life and service and we walk and serve in the robe of righteousness that is our confidence and out strength for service.

Sharing

Matthew 26:18 Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says, “My appointed time is near.  I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’”

My mind is filled with questions and responses to this event as I read it.  Who was that “certain man?”  One of the most well-known events leading up to the crucifixion took place in the home of a totally unknown person who obviously was a friend of Jesus.  But his name is not mentioned.  What is immortalized in this story is not who he was, but rather what he made available for Jesus’ use.  What a good lesson for me as I grow older as an “unknown” person wondering what I have to offer the Lord.  The older I get, the more I see myself getting caught in a cycle of routine and am finding it more and more difficult to let go of that in order to make the extra effort to share myself, my time, or my belongings.  I need to remember that this sharing is an important part of my ministry in Jesus’ name.  It is not important who I am but rather what I have made available of myself and/or my belongings that matters.  Another question I ask is: was this a pre-arranged use, arranged between Jesus and the “certain man” ahead of time, or was a “spur of the moment?”  Whichever the case, I see the bottom line as the same principle: that man opened his home.  I can do the same, even without previous planning.  God will use what I make available for His glory.

Be dressed and ready

Luke 12:35 Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.

This is a picture of readiness for whatever may come or whatever may happen.  There is a sense here that if I am ready, then I won’t have to stop and think how to respond when a call comes for service.  When I am confronted by a need I will be able to respond favorably because I am dressed and have my lamp already burning.  Being dressed is my picture of personal preparation; having a personal relationship with God means I am clothed with the garment of salvation and the shoes of the gospel of peace.  Having my lamp burning means I am able to see where and how to walk because the light of the Word is lighting my path.  With my clothing and my lamp already both in place, then I am automatically ready for service.

Stand up and listen

Ezekiel 2:1 He said to me, “Son of man, stand upon your feet and I will speak to you.”

Why did Ezekiel have to stand up to listen to God speak to him?  I see two reasons within the context of this verse, both of which have powerful implications of what is necessary for effective listening.  First, Ezekiel had fallen on his face in worship when he became aware of the glory of the Lord.  The awe he felt at God’s glory made him more prepared to hear and heed to the voice of the Lord to him.  It was God’s Spirit that guided his standing back up (v.2).  Then, his standing was a signal for action.  What God said to him once he stood was a call to service.  God was sending him out to the Israelites with a message and he could not obey that command lying on his face, even though it was in worship.  There comes a time when we have to stop “inactive” worship and stand up and do something for God.  When that time comes the Holy Spirit will come into us and stand us up for service.