“And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. He became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.”
“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time...
“Eleazar rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clung to the sword…
“Next to him was Shammah…He took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and struck down the Philistines, and the Lord worked a great victory.
“And three of the thirty chief men went down and came about harvest time to David at the cave of Adullam… They broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David…
“Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them and won a name beside the three…
“Benaiah was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.” 1 Samuel 22:2; 2 Samuel 23:8,10-13a,16,18,20
The mighty men of David were renowned by name and great deeds. But they did not start that way. The motley crew of indebted, depressed, discontented men gathered to the hunted David out of desperation. He himself had grown skills and courage through challenge and hardship. These men were transformed by the honing of God in strain, through grueling opposition, and under the strong, humble, honest leadership of David. (1 Samuel 17:32-37; 2 Samuel 23:23-29)
The God who calls the dead to life and makes all things new is in the constant business of transforming His people. He trains us in the trenches of life circumstances by chipping away at fear and weakness to instill confidence, hone boldness, and fulfill our personalities. He does not relent until we have become all He intends. (Romans 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6)
What God-assigned trenches do we resist? Do we freeze in fear at stressful opposition or hard assignments? To what dreaded but transformative training need we submit? What can we learn from godly leaders who have endured with joy? What will we ask God to develop in us so we can fulfill His bidding triumphantly? (Psalm 71:20-21)
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ~R. Keen (1787)
Lord, teach me through every difficulty to be more like You, to Your glory.
As the rain and snow 