“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Most remember David who became the greatest king of Israel. After God removed King Saul for disobedience, remember why God chose David. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). David chose to fulfill God’s will with his life. We are not the only ones who recognize this in David’s life. Remember the following.
King Saul recognized the Lord was with David and had departed from Saul (see 1 Samuel 18:12). “And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night” (1 Samuel 19:10). Because of this, David spent many years running for his life. Many men joined David, helping him. During the time David was in Ziklag, another group of men came to help David. Why did these men give of their time, their talents, and their very lives to help David? One man revealed the heart of these men. “Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band” (1 Chronicles 12:18). These men became the captains of the group known as David’s “mighty men”. These men recognized that God was with David, so they chose to be on David’s side and help him. God had touched the hearts of these men to assist David as he followed God.
When David became king, one of the first things he did was to take Jerusalem, making it the capital of Israel. He then began to build up the cities around. “So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him” (1 Chronicles 11:9). We find that these “mighty men” strengthened themselves with David, helping him. “These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel” (1 Chronicles 11:10). These were amazing warriors! You should take time to read some of the astonishing things they were able to do in battle (see 2 Samuel 23:8-23 and 1 Chronicles 11:10 – 12:40).
Why is it so crucial to understand the importance of these mighty men in David’s life? God gave these “mighty men” to David, enabling him be the king he was for the people of Israel. Keep in mind that these “mighty men” defeated many enemies with David. They gave their all to follow and serve David, their king. Today, Christian’s are to be just as committed to the Lord as these “mighty men” were to David. Christians are to have the same allegiance toward Jesus that Amasai had toward David, “Thine are we, David, and on thy side” (see 1 Chronicles 12:18). Remember: to live for the Lord is a choice. Christians are to recognize Christ’s ownership of their lives and accept it. It is then we decide: “Lord, I am Yours by right, and I wish to be Yours by choice.” It is only then that we allow Jesus to be the Lord that He is to be in our lives. “2. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:2-3).There are a few of verses that we should memorize to help us keep this mindset.
- “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8).
- “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
- “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
This is only a small sampling of verses encouraging us to commit fully to Jesus, following and serving Him. The following verses could be prayers to help us accomplish this task:
- “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name” (Psalm 86:11).
- “23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). (ALL of Psalm 137 is good.)
- “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (Psalm 143:10).
Have you chosen to make Jesus the Lord of your life, deciding to live for Him, and delighting to do His will?
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