Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 12:1-2, 8, 14, 15-18, 22

When we receive Jesus into our life as Lord and Saviour we automatically become the children of God. Since Jesus is also the King over His kingdom we also automatically join up with the army of the Lord. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Paul describes what the life of a soldier of Jesus is like. As a soldier of Jesus Christ we should be able to endure hardship. We should also be focused on the calling of God, to fulfil His will rather than our own will, building the kingdom of God rather than building our own empire. The New Testament church belongs to the army of God. The Lord adds to the church daily (1 Chronicles 12:22).

What the army of God is like (Based on David’s army in 1 Chronicles 12):

Special characteristics we can apply in our life

1. Trained in warfare (v.1-2)

These warriors were trained in warfare. They can use weapons and fight with both hands. Today as the army of the Lord we don’t fight a physical (natural) battle but we fight a spiritual battle. Our weapon is prayer and our sword is the Word of God. (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus used the Word of God to defeat Satan in Matthew 4, so how much more do we need the Word of God and use it like a sword in our spiritual battle. Every one of us needs to be trained in warfare. We need to know how to use the sword of the spirit, the Word of God in battle.

2. Bold and fearless (v.8)

These mighty men of David were fearless. They were bold as lions and swift as a gazelle. No obstacles could stop them from advancing. Today the army of God should be bold and fearless. We are on the winning side because Jesus is the Lord of His army. We may face battle after battle, but the Lord will give us victory after victory.

3. Led by the Spirit of God (v.18)

All these warriors with ability and skill came to join David but he wasn’t excited by their ability and skill. Instead David tested their heart to see if their heart is with him. That is when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and gave a word of encouragement to David. David received the word and made them captains of his army. The army of David was led by the Holy Spirit. The army of God should also be led by the Spirit.

4. They are united in action and purpose (v.38)

These mighty warriors knew how to keep rank. They marched together in unity, they knew their position and were united in action, goal and purpose to make David king. Today the army of God needs to follow the example of David’s army, to be united in action and purpose. Firstly we need to march in rank. We need to know our position in the army. There are many other ministries besides the five-fold ministry there are helpers, givers, administrators, intercessors. God has given every one of us spiritual gifts and talents to build the kingdom of God. We need to exercise our gifts and talents to make Jesus the King of all nations. Click here to discover your spiritual gifts.
From 1 Chronicles 12 we can see the army of David was like the army of God. We should apply these four special characteristics of the army of God in our life: be trained in prayer and the Word of God, be bold and fearless, be led by the Holy Spirit, and be united in action and purpose. We are not here by chance, we are here for a purpose, to make Jesus king over all the earth.

When Jesus returns in His second coming He will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords to defeat all His enemies and establish His physical kingdom on earth (Revelation 19). We will come back as resurrected, glorified saints following the Lord to fight a physical battle to establish the kingdom of God on earth (Jude 14-15). In the book of Joel 2:11 this army of the Lord is supernatural, belongs to Jesus and His camp is very great. Joel 2:3-8 this is just like 1 Chronicles 12 the army David is like the army of God, people see them coming and they are so afraid. With our resurrected, glorified body no weapon can hurt us (Joel 2:8) that is the supernatural army of God. At present we fight a spiritual war but at the return of our Lord Jesus we will return with Him to fight that final battle to establish the kingdom of God. Don’t you want to join the army of the Lord? You can receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today and be in the supernatural army that is to come.

 

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If you would like to accept Jesus into your heart please pray the following prayer.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.”

If you have just prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! We invite you to contact us as we would love to pray a blessing over your life and help guide you on your journey.

The next step. As a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

• Get baptised as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

God bless you.