August 2, 2022 -- I Chronicles 12:38-40 -- God the Provider

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All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. 39 And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them. 40 And also their relatives, from as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came bringing food on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, oxen and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.
I Chronicles 12:38-40 ESV

Now, isn’t that our God, the Provider? Mighty men of valor, commanders of hundreds and of thousands, were arriving from all the tribes of Israel to make David their king. A huge gathering, a powerful army is flowing into Hebron. As a child, and even as a young man, this captured my imagination. The people turning from allegiance to the family of King Saul and giving their allegiance to King David. A massive army is accruing, so my practical question was: what did they eat? For a long time I didn't really get an answer. I just figured it was taken care off. Today as I was reading this passage in my devotions the goodness of our God struck home to my head and heart. A question from my childhood was answered. How beautiful is the provision of our God!

Tribes and people as far as 80 KM away were preparing food for David’s army. I don’t know much about driving oxen and sheep. On-line research tells me that sheep can be driven up to 19KM a day. So, after messengers are sent out declaring the need, it would take time to gather provisions and then about an additional 5 days for provisions of sheep and oxen to arrive from the furthest reaches of Israel. God had prepared people in advance to supply the army so that His people, His mighty army, would not starve before the battle was even engaged. He moved the hearts of people to make available their gifts of grains and oils, flour and figs, sheep and oxen.

I believe our God continues to be the God Who knows the end from the beginning. He prepares people for His blessings and equips the saints that they may endure the times of trouble. Joys and sorrows, times of plenty and times of war, all of these are used so that His Great Name will be broadcast to the ends of the earth. As it was in the past, so it is today. God will work all things together so that the Name of Jesus, King David’s greatest descendant and the rightful, eternal King of Israel and of all the earth, will rule in power. The Spirit of God will continue to move the followers of King Jesus so that missionaries are provided for, finances are accrued and valiant men and women declare His goodness. As the Spirit prompts you today, give to the needs of missionaries. Pray. Write a letter (okay, text or email) of encouragement. Whatever ability God has given you, use it today for His glory.

Today’s prayer is a portion of David’s Song of Thanks.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;[b]
30 tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

“Save us, O God of our salvation,
    and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

I Chronicles 16:28-36 ESV

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