“David’s Mighty Men”

Pastor David Moore

New Testament reading: Romans 3:21-31 (NRSV)  

But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.  

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.  Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.  

Everything in the Bible is pointing to Jesus, even in the Old Testament. The Bible is about how God interacted, the lessons God has taught, it’s about what lessons people have learned about who God is  and how He instructed and relates to people like us. ~D. Moore  

Old Testament reading: 2 Samuel 23:13-17 (NIV)  

During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. “Far be it from me, O Lord,  to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.  

Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.  

When you read the Bible through the eyes that it is primarily focused on Jesus, and to see what God has done, then you will see your life change. ~D. Moore  

Everything you have is a gift from God. Whatever you have earned is also a gift. Our gifts are intended to point people to God. ~D. Moore  

2 Samuel 22:33: It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.  

All Christian leaders will point people to God, not themselves. We are to look beyond the man to God.  ~D. Moore  

As Christians we need to discern what our leaders want, which means how do we respond to what God  wants. ~D. Moore

A follower of Jesus concentrates on God’s heart. What does the Lord love? What does He rejoice in?  How do I become part of this process? It is not following the rules, but seeking God. ~D. Moore  

The difference between a religious person and a follower of Jesus is their relationship with God. ~D.  Moore  

We are in need of the water of life. There is a restlessness in life, until we rest in God. When someone has heard our sigh and offered the water of life to remind us that God is with us. Paul felt, as he wrote in Philippians, his life was poured out like a drink offering (Phil 2:17). ~D. Moore  

Jesus’ life was poured out, bled out, on the cross. Jesus was the Mighty Man. He fought His way through death and evil, to bring all who believe, the confidence that God is with us. Their confidence will allow us to run through our enemies. We will take on evil in this world because we know our future is secure in God who knows and loves each one of us. ~D. Moore  

Revelation 22: 17 Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the  water of life.  

Wherever you find yourself today, pray for His strength to come upon you, to take on the challenges in  this world. Your future is assured in Jesus. 

God bless, have a good week.