After a
victory over the Amalekites, and upon his return, we find this account
in David’s life:
20 Then
David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before
those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”
21Now
David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could
not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So
they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him.
And when David came near the people, he greeted them. 22Then
all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered
and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of
the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and
children, that they may lead them away and depart.”
23But
David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has
given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop
that came against us. 24For
who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to
the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall
share alike.” 25So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an
ordinance for Israel to this day.
(1 Samuel 30:20-25)
The ones who had “gone down to the
battle” were no more important than those who had stayed “by the
supplies.” These were protecting the homeland. David’s declaration was
fair and right—“statute and ordinance.”
God has made this a part of His
plan:
9But,
beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things
that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10For God is not
unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward
His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full
assurance of hope until the end, 12that
you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises.
(Hebrews 6:9-12)
The devil tries to discourage
Christian’s efforts. He helped stop the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra
4. The prophet Zechariah was sent to say, “For who has despised the day
of small things?”
10 For
who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”
(Zechariah 4:10)
No job, work, or effort any
Christian may do is too small not to be noticed by God, and no one is
more impressive than any other of us.
Consider these words:
5Beloved,
you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren [a]and
for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send
them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do
well. (3 John 5-6)
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