To prepare for kingdom work, fight bravely knowing God defeats spiritual enemies. Trust in His resources, build people up through His word, organize kingdom work in holiness and prayer, share ministry among various generations, let God choose workers without distinction between secular and sacred work, listen to God for practical details in ministry, and receive wealth and power from Him.
Fight Bravely Knowing God Defeats Spiritual Enemies
David expressed sympathy to Hanun because his father showed kindness to him. The Ammonites told Hanun that David’s intentions was to spy and overthrow the land. Hanun humiliated David’s men by shaving and cutting off their garments in the middle at the buttocks. The Ammonites hired 32,000 chariots and charioteers while Joab deployed his best troops in Israel against Arameans. Troops helped one another if Arameans or Ammonites became too strong for one group. Joab said to be strong and fight bravely because the Lord would do what was right in His sight. The Arameans fled before Joab and David killed 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. They made peace and were subject to David. The Arameans were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore. Joab took much plunder from the cities of the Ammonites, placed their king’s crown on David’s head and consigned their people to slave labor. They subjected the Philistines by killing Goliath’s brother and other large descendants of Rapha (1 Chron. 19:1-20:8). Fight bravely knowing God does right and defeats spiritual enemies.
Trust in God’s Resources and Not Your Own
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census. Joab warned David that counting the Israelites would bring guilt on Israel. He counted 1.1 million fighting men in Israel and 470,000 in Judah. Because David’s command was repulsive to Levi, Benjamin and God, He punished Israel. Gad gave David three options because of his sin: three years of famine, three months of enemies overtaking them or three days of plague. David asked to fall into God’s merciful hands and not in men’s. The Lord sent a plague that killed 70,000 men of Israel. David saw an angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth with a drawn sword extended over Jerusalem. David obeyed God’s word to build an altar to Him on the threshing floor of Araunah. He paid the full price to sacrifice a burnt offering that cost something (1 Chron. 21:1-30). Trust in God’s resources and not your own since He fights for you.
Build People Up Through His Word
David appointed aliens living in Israel as stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. He provided iron, bronze and cedar logs to make nails for the doors and fittings. David prepared extensively to build the magnificent house of fame and splendor in the sight of the nations. Shedding blood in wars prevented David from building the house. He charged Solomon to build it according to God’s word. Solomon was a man of peace with rest from all his enemies. David told him the Lord would be with him and have success if he kept the law. He asked God to give Solomon discretion and understanding, be strong and courageous without fear or discouragement when He put him in command over Israel. David took great pains to provide 100,000 talents of gold, 1 million talents of silver, large amount of bronze and iron, wood and stone. He provided many workmen including stonecutters, masons, carpenters and craftsmen skilled in gold, silver, bronze and iron. David ordered all the Israelite leaders help Solomon and devote their heart and soul to seeking God (1 Chron. 22:1-19). Build people up through His word with a servant heart.
Organize Kingdom Work in Holiness and Prayer
David made 24,000 Levites supervise the work of the temple, 6,000 as officials and judges, 4,000 as gatekeepers and 4,000 to praise the Lord with musical instruments. He divided the Levites into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershonites, Kohathites and Merarites. The Levites helped Aaron’s descendants in the temple service and purification of sacred things. They thanked and praised God every morning, evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented during the feasts. They carried out their responsibilities in the proper number and way prescribed for the Tent of Meeting and Holy Place (1 Chron. 23:1-32). Organize kingdom work so people pursue holiness, intercede in prayer, minister to God in praise and thanksgiving, and bless others.
Share Ministry Among Various Generations
David separated Aaron’s sons into divisions for their appointed order of ministering. A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar’s descendants than Ithamar’s. David and his army commanders set apart some of Asaph’s sons and two others for the ministry of prophesying accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Asaph’s sons prophesied under the king’s supervision. Jeduthun’s sons prophesied using the harp in thanking and praising God. Heman’s sons were given God’s promises to exalt Him. All these men were under their father’s supervision with cymbals, lyres and harps for the music ministry at the house of God. They were trained and skilled in music for the Lord (1 Chron. 24:1-25:31). Share ministry among various generations in Spirit-inspired prophesy, praise and music ministry.
Let God Choose Workers Without Distinction Between Secular and Sacred Work
These divisions of the gatekeepers through their chief men had duties for ministering in the temple of God. Shemaiah’s sons were leaders in their father’s family because they were very capable men with the strength to do the work. Six Levites a day on the east, four a day on the north and south, two at a time at the storehouse. Their fellow Levites were in charge of treasuries of the house of God (1 Chron. 26:1-32). Let God choose workers without distinction between secular or sacred work.
Listen to God for Practical Details in Ministry
Each army division of 24,000 served one month each year. Benaiah was a mighty man among the Thirty and over the Thirty. Each of the 12 tribes had an officer over it. A list was made of officials in charge of David’s property. He charged Solomon to serve God with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind for He searched every heart and understood every motive behind the thoughts. David gave Solomon plans of all the Spirit put in his mind for the construction of the temple, instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, work of serving in the temple, and articles to be used for service. All this was in writing because God’s hand was upon David and gave him understanding in all the details of the plan. Solomon was to be strong, courageous and without fear or discouragement. The divisions of the priests and Levites along with skilled craftsmen were ready for work on the temple (1 Chron. 27:1-28:21). Listen to God for practical details in ministry with wholehearted devotion, willing mind and pure motives.
Receive Wealth and Power from Great God
People rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders who gave freely and wholeheartedly. David praised the greatness, power, glory and majesty of God. Jesus exalted Himself as head over God’s kingdom and ruler over all things. Wealth, honor, strength, power and everything came from Him. They gave only what came from God’s hand. The abundance for building the temple came and belonged to Him. David gave it willingly with honest intent. The next day they made sacrifices and presented burnt and drink offerings to Him. The Lord highly exalted Solomon and bestowed royal splendor while Israel obeyed and submitted to him. David died having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor (1 Chron. 29:1-30). Receive wealth and power from the great and majestic God who rules everything.
To prepare for kingdom work, consider the following bullets:
- Fight bravely knowing God defeats spiritual enemies
- Trust in His resources
- Build people up through His word
- Organize kingdom work in holiness and prayer
- Share ministry among various generations
- Let God choose workers without distinction between secular and sacred work
- Listen to God for practical details in ministry
- Receive wealth and power from Him
