To Encourage You

1 Chronicles 12:22 “For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God.”

One of the most wonderful things about the Old Testament is the many “types” and “shadows” we find there about Christ and His kingdom.  We are told that the Old Testament law is “but a shadow of the good things to come” (Hebrews 10:1).  Likewise, we are told in Colossians 2:17 that the primary purpose of the religious ceremonies and festivals under the Old Testament law was as a “shadow of the things to come” but the reality is found in Christ. 

The Old Testament is full of such things.  Although we don’t find Jesus spoken of in so many words in the Old Testament, Jesus made clear in His conversation with the disciples on the road to Emmaus that He was everywhere in it with these words: “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).  The account of David’s army in 1 Chronicles 12 above is like this.  David, although he had been anointed king by Samuel years earlier, had to wait his turn to have this kingship realized in its fulness.  In fact, while Saul was king, David lived as a fugitive, hiding in caves as Saul sought his life.  However, all during that time, people were coming to David, one by one, to join him, and eventually these men became a great army “like the army of God.” 

It’s just like that today as people come to Christ and acknowledge Him as their king.  Though He is not visible to us, He is the true King of kings.  And although Satan, “the prince of this world” (John 14:30) seems to be in control right now, little by little, day by day, people are leaving his kingdom and being added to the kingdom of King Jesus.  As anyone turns to Him they are “delivered . . . from the domain of darkness and transferred . . . to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).  One by one, the Lord is accumulating to Himself “daily those who (are) being saved” (Acts 2:47).”  And although it certainly doesn’t look like it now, we will find in the end that this kingdom is like a mighty army of souls. 

John saw this as He wrote of his vision recorded in the Revelation.  There in heaven he saw “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9).  People don’t typically enter God’s kingdom in mass. We don’t see national movements of thousands of people coming to Christ.  But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a great movement underway, for day by day, one by one, people are leaving the kingdom of this world and entering the kingdom of Christ. 

Jesus said to Pilate “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).  Surely Pilate didn’t see much of this kingdom, as those of Jesus’ own nation wanted to crucify Him.  However, no matter how things looked to Pilate or look to us, there is a mighty kingdom being formed little by little, day by day, as people, one by one, are saved and join the great King of Kings. 

What about you?  Is He your king?  May God move on the hearts of many to join this great kingdom, this great army of God, while there is still time to do so.