Mon., 11/18/19 Devotion (1 Chron. 11:6)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Chronicles 11:6, which says this:

"Now David said, 'Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and cap-tain.' And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief."

David here employs God's way of developing leaders. The new king (David) did not need talkers, braggers, or theoreticians. Instead he required someone to risk his neck, and kick the Jebusites out (of what would become Jerusalem—the headquarters of the Old Covenant church). We see this same pattern in the New Testament, (cf. Rom. 16:3-4).

So, what about us who are in Christ as His faithful church? Is God calling us to do something bold for Him, within the sphere of our influence and ability? Spiritually, we are always "safer" when we are on the offensive, rather than when we are on the defensive.

[Puritan quote of the day: "There is not the weakest and poorest creature in the world who is pardoned [for sin] but he understands more of the light of God's grace and covenant than the greatest doctors or rabbis in the world.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]