Daily Manna 31 August
KEY VERSE: 1 Chronicles 12:22 “For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.”
TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:16-22
16 Then some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. 17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said to them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if to betray me to my enemies, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look and bring judgment.” 18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said:
“We are yours, O David;
We are on your side, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
And peace to your helpers!
For your God helps you.”
So David received them, and made them captains of the troop.
19 And some from Manasseh defected to David when he was going with the Philistines to battle against Saul; but they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away by agreement, saying, “He may defect to his master Saul and endanger our heads.” 20 When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh. 21 And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. 22 For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
The first president of the United States of America, the Bible-believing George Washington, declared in 1783: “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.”
David’s relationship with people establishes Washington’s insight. Although he enjoyed the fidelity of family and the loyalty of some 600 associates who stuck to him as he fled from Saul, the son of Jesse began to get more old friends added to him when he became the king following the death of Saul. The Bible records in the text that several hitherto estranged acquaintances initiated moves to return to David. The reason was that he leaned on the grace of heaven to treat all he accosted with respect and the fear of God.
At a time he was grieving for the seizure of his wives and the burning of his property and that of his warriors, David made friends with a foe and fed him. When some of his warlords rebelled against his decision to share the spoils of war with those who were not at the battlefield, David ignored them and let the booty go round. He gave succour to those in debt, distress and discontentment. David nurtured them as “plants of slow growth”. Finally, “day by day there came to David to help him, until it was great host, like the host of God.”
The one who would attract friends to himself is the one who has the mind of heaven. He must show himself friendly and willing to serve others as did our Lord Jesus Christ. By so doing, he will enjoy the spiritual and physical dividends of true friendship.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Friendship is sweet with Christ, our ultimate Friend.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 68-71
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Sweet Dividends of Friendship – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 31 August 2021
