kumuyi

Topic – Wanted: Brave Christians [July 16, 2016]

Text: 1 Chronicles 12:1-7

Key Verse: “They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin” (1 Chronicles 12:2).

In a letter addressed to a clergy, Alexander Mather, on August 6, 1777, John Wesley voiced his concern about the declining spiritual state of the Methodist Church. He attributed the decline to carnal, fearful and lukewarm preachers of the time and gave his famous challenge: “Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the kingdom of God on earth. “

Till date, such people are, regrettably, in short supply. The text today describes a contingent of such people that came to join themselves to David when he was in exile at Ziklag in Philistine. Of this set of supporters, many remarkable observations can be made. First, notice where they came from — many of them came from Benjamin, the tribe of Saul who was then viciously hunting for David’s life. They were apparently moved by good conscience, knowing that David was innocent and had divine mandate to succeed Saul, their kinsman. It was a show of godly courage. How we need to shun racial or tribal sentiments and uphold righteousness in our service to God and dealings with one another. It was also said of these men that they had an uncommon mastery of handling of weapons.

They were so versatile that they could throw stones and shoot arrows with both hands. The search is still on for true Christian heroes, men and women whose passion for God and righteousness goes beyond personal economic and social gains. They are the ones the Lord counts on to make a difference in an increasingly godless world. Are you part of this team?

Thought for the day: You may count on the Lord; can He count on you?

Bible Reading in one Year: 1 Chronicles 16-20

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.


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