Strength in Numbers

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 22:23, “Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.”

What made David so confident that Abiathar would be safe with him? After all, he too was avoiding the same enemy. David’s confidence came from knowing that God was protecting him from Saul. God had already proven to David that he could trust Him to keep him safe from Saul’s attempts to capture and kill him. Having this confidence, he was able to encourage Abiathar during this rather stressful time. In reading this verse, I am reminded today that God calls us to do that same today as David suggested to Abiathar. Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The days we live in today are getting worse and worse, as people are becoming more and more corrupt and persecution in many places continues to increase. This should not come as a surprise for any of us. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 cannot be any clearer in stating this, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” As the Lord’s return draws closer, our common enemy the devil will ramp up his attacks against God’s people. 1 Peter 5:8-9 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Too many Christians fall for the devils’ greatest strategy…isolation. We allow ourselves to be discourage by the behavior of other Christians, or we experience some kind of hurt and decide we no longer want to gather with others in the local church, and the devils have a field day with us. Sadly, the devils are more organized and unified than we are as God’s army. This results in loneliness and defeat amongst God’s people, contrary to what the Lord desires to see happening within His Body. David knew that Abiathar’s only way to survive was to join David and the other 400 who were following him, under the protection of the Lord. The best place any one of us can be is in fellowship with those who are of like mind, under the protection and guidance of our Lord. Psalm 46:1-3 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah” Brothers and sisters, let us not be ignorant of the fact that we need to be encouraged and to be encouragers. The only way to accomplish this is to gather with one another and together pray for each other and exhort each other with God’s Word and testimony of His goodness. The devils may launch their fierce attacks toward us, but let us never forget what we are told in 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 still ring true today, especially as the spiritual battle rages around us and in our personal lives. Those verses read, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. “But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Jesus Himself promised us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The bottom line is that when the attacks come, and the enemy pursues us, we will find strength in numbers, especially under the protection of our Lord and Savior.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).