United in Purpose

David's City. 

Scripture:

1 Chr. 12:¹⁸ Then the spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said,

 

 “We are yours, O David;

and with you, O son of Jesse!

Peace, peace to you,

and peace to the one who helps you!

For your God is the one who helps you.”

Then David received them, and made them officers of his troops.

Observation:

This passage comes at the culmination of a great list of individuals who have chosen to unite with David in his mission to fight Saul and his army. David has a special group of thirty leaders, of whom three are his most elite who have been with him for some time. Then, bands of other soldiers have come and united themselves with David’s army as they have chosen to serve him out of loyalty, not out of obligation. After we reach the end of the list, the spirit of God comes upon Amasai and he speaks prophetic words of blessing. The unique nature of the situation is seen in the response of the fighting men who, one at a time and with hearts of devotion, commit themselves to David. 

Application:

Once again we see in David the foreshadowing of the Messiah. With only a small band of “disciples” they began to take on the world. The “elite three,” later known as Peter, James and John, were loyal and standing at his side, even when they could not fully comprehend their circumstances. Later, Jesus would come as the “Prince of Peace” and Amasai’s words would see even greater fulfillment. 

In this uniting with David, we see a people who are united in purpose. Today, God’s people are called to come to Christ and become united in purpose. It may start out small with just a band of thirty. How many pastors do I hear lament the fact that they have but just thirty individuals in their church? But look at what God can do with just thirty! Out those thirty David mentors three elite leaders. Are we looking for those whom we may train up to be leaders? Are we providing them with opportunities to develop? 

Little by little others came to join David, and today others are uniting their hearts in service to Christ. One by one we come to Christ and as our hearts are given in entire devotion to God, then we become united in our purpose. We become kindred souls in service to the everlasting kingdom of God. 

David’s soldiers came from many different clans and yet when they were single-minded in focus, they became one. All of God’s people are called to respond and to become united together in the purpose of Christ’s mission in the world. It’s only then that we begin to sense and receive the peace of Christ, and recognize that God is the one who helps us every single day. 

Prayer:

Lord, intertwine our hearts in loving service to you, serving faithfully to the very end. Amen.