REPOSTToday’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 13, 2015, is provided by Pastor Charles Choe who leads Tapestry Church in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“The Thirty”
1 Samuel 26:6
David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go with me down into the camp with me to Saul?” “I’ll go with you,” said Abishai.
Here, we see mentioned for the first time one of the men who was a part of the great fighting force in the Bible known as “David’s mighty men,” also called “the Thirty” (1 Chron. 12:4). David is on the verge of inheriting the kingdom of Israel, to unite and make it as one of the strongest nations on earth at the time. And among David’s mighty men, Abishai was one of the best: Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them. (2 Sam. 23:18-19)
From Abishai and the other mighty men, we can glean a couple of valuable lessons for today. First, we learn that God values our service, no matter how unnoticed it is. We aren’t all going to be John Pipers or Mother Teresas, but God values our service to him just as much. There is a special place in the Bible reserved for the men and women who worked unseen to help the nation of Israel become great, and there is a special place for those who work unseen in the church today.
Just as God provided a team of men to help give David valor to fight his battles, we need each other to persevere as saints as we go through this life. We are reminded that the body of Christ only functions when everyone does their part. David might have battled with Saul and the Philistines, but we are called to a spiritual battle we cannot afford to fight alone. We all need friends—the “mighty men and women” alongside us.
Perhaps by way of application, you can join a small group at your church and if you happen to be in one already, I encourage you to make a serious effort in building fellowship and accountability with those in your group. Be available and vulnerable to share your needs and struggles. Pray for one another. Spend time together and go into battle together.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the friends you have put in my life. Help me to never take them for granted. Allow me opportunities to go deeper with them, fortifying relationships for the sake of the Gospel. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today:Acts 18
Lunch Break Study
Read Acts 2:42-47: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Questions to Consider
- What were the four things the early church was committed to (v. 42)?
- What was the result of their devotion?
- What is the one thing you can do to show your commitment to the church today?
Notes
- They were devoted to Bible study (the apostles’ teachings), fellowship, communion, and prayer.
- They were filled with awe (signs and wonders accompanied them). They had favor with men, and the Lord added to their number.
- It’s so easy to read through this famous passage dismissively, but the call to follow Christ is startling and radical. We need to sense its impact anew today.
Evening Reflection
What is one tangible way to love the people at your church? If you haven’t already, take time to pray for your pastor and your church.