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Chronicles chapter 12 reminds me how the church is built. Although
the roles of the tribes are discussed, it is clear that each person
is called individually. Some people fear they will lose their
identity when they become part of the body of believers; but God uses
our uniqueness to make His church complete. We are united with one
another by the fact that we have accepted Jesus as our Lord. The
chapter details “the
men who came to David… while he was banished from the presence of
Saul“.
In David’s time just as today, nothing else on earth unites people
like God’s Holy Spirit. He can overcome race, financial status,
politics and even family feuds. In fact, the first group who “helped
David in battle”
were the “kinsmen
of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin“.
And notice these were the front line fighters. “They
were armed with bows and were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones
right-handed or left-handed“.
But not all warriors are the same. “Some
Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert… able to
handle the shield and spear.”
Others
from the tribe of Gad “were
army commanders“.
Don’t ignore the Spirit’s calling.
We
read “Day
after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the
army of God“.
Men from all 12 tribes are named, because David was king of all
Israel. And then we read the central example of what happens when
God changes people’s hearts. “Then
the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: ‘We
are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse!’ So David
received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands“.
It is not the brilliance of man that converts lives, but the power
of God. Acts 2:47 explains this is exactly how the early church came
together! “And
the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Friend, is God calling you to take a step of faith?
The
chapter ends with an example of the unity that is created when we are
open to God’s Spirit. “All
these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks. They
came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel.
All the rest of the Israelites were also of one mind to make David
king“.
And the ultimate result was, “there
was joy in Israel.”
1 Corinthians chapter 12 discusses how each of us has a special
role but like the human body, we need one another. “There
are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences
of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of
activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of
all“.
We were not designed to be loners, God desires us to use our unique
talents for His purposes. That is when we find real joy!