I want to make a slight shift this time and go over to the Amplified translation. And I want you to know that I don't endorse any particular translation. I use many different translations in my study and I encourage you to use the one you love. Let His Word be a love letter to you!
And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros - a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra - a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades, (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. Matthew 16:18.
Here we are on number 30 and we're still working on extending that reach. We've seen that God is on the move and the He is unstoppable. We've also seen opposition, and resistance. I hope you have been blessed as I have.
I couldn't do any of it without God. That's why I keep doing it. That's why I keep repeating these verses day after day because it's all about Him. This morning I'm brought back to a favorite of mine in the OT. David's last words. An ode to the men who stood by him. David's mighty men. The thirty.
I'm not trying to prophesy or analyze it this time. I don't fully understand it with my mind. But the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down and demolishing strongholds.
Asahel brother of Joab was one of the Thirty; then Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
Shammah of Harod, Elika of Harod,
Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh of Tekoa,
Abiezer of Anathoth, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai of Netophah,
Heleb son of Baanah of Netophah, Ittai
son of Ribai of Gibeah of the Benjamites. 2 Samuel 23:24-29.
I'm sure it wasn't a honeymoon everyday. I'm sure it took plenty of grace. Grace upon grace. If you think about the fact that God didn't leave David to fend for himself in the wilderness, but surrounded him with warriors, that's an act of grace in itself. Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; James 5:17.
Before you get to that passage there is another one that is of vital importance to the Body of Christ. Confess to one therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16.
I'm sure it was a vital part of their fellowship. Corporate prayer and worship. You can't hang around a group of men for years and not get to know something about their true nature. Unless they just insist on hiding behind a facade all the time. Thank God that I'm anointed with the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of Truth to penetrate those barriers and He gives me wisdom and truth.
You could understand if David men had come to him when he ascended the throne. But these were lean times. People who will stick with you through lean times are worthy of remembrance. And they were desperate. Hungry for God. Hungry for the glory of God. If one man (Elijah) could withhold the rain for 3 years imagine what thirty men could do.
That's just a partial list. God does answer our prayers exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond what we can ask for and imagine. When it rains it pours!
By Grace,
Travis
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