Kingdoms are not won easily. David knew this well. Chased by the king he was anointed to replace, David fled from the kingdom he was destined to rule. Reduced to living in caves, rather than palaces, he slept on hard stone floors instead of soft, royal bedding. Why did he ever leave his humble shepherd home? Was this God’s great plan for his life? Alone and tormented, sitting in the dirt and dark of the cave, the hope of a kingdom alluded David. In despair and darkness, David penned his prayer:
“My spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
…
Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.”
We follow a great God. A God who listens. And David’s prayer was no exception. His brothers and family flocked to him. Soon they were joined by other down and out men who were tired of their aimless wanderings. There in that dingy cave, David became their commander (1 Samuel 22:1-2) and the Mighty Men were formed. Devoted to David’s leadership, they disciplined themselves in preparation for the coming battle. The hope of the promised Kingdom grew.
“Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
He is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.” (Psalm 144:1-2)
David and his Mighty Men burst forth from the cave. This ragtag group of vagabonds emerged as one of the greatest armies in history. Killing giant Egyptians and slaying hordes of enemies, they rose beyond their humble beginnings and claimed a victory after victory. (2 Samuel 23, 1 Chronicles 11-12) Together the land was conquered and cleared of the enemies of God. The Kingdom of David was established.
Today that same Kingdom advances through the world. But a new king sits upon David’s throne. His power is unmatched and his rule unrivaled. The great Lord and King, Jesus, brings all the world under His dominion; none can escape His reach. Glad is the news, and joyful is the task of making His rule known. Blessings in abundance and righteousness of rule spill forth from His extraordinary reign. And we are its right recipients.
“You shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33)
Jesus’s Kingdom is on the move. His royal message, the evangelion, the Good News rumbles forth from two-thousands years ago. Daily Christ mobilizes His own Mighty Men to go forth and build His Kingdom. Now where are you Mighty Men of today? Are you the downtrodden looking for a leader? Or are you of the steadied hand ready for battle?
As one of those men, you are called to train and discipline yourself in preparation for God’s work. In your hometown or among the nations, you serve in His Kingdom work. Prepare yourself as a warrior for the Lord.
Defeated by King Jesus, the Enemy, that roaring lion and slithering serpent, writhes in his death throes. His claim over the nations is no more. Go therefore and claim the peoples of the world on behalf of your great King.
Whether you are charging into the fray or disciplining yourself in the cave, whether you know your mission calling or await direction from your King, the Kingdom spreads through the world in power. The greater David has come. His throne stands everlasting upon everlasting. Every people and nation will bow before Him. His Kingdom is marching on. Will you join?
