David’s Mighty Warriors, 300 Churches, Field full of barley & Water from the well near Bethlehem

“These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors–they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised.”
(1 Chronicles 11:10)

300 Churches
“This is the list of David’s mighty warriors: Jashobeam, a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers, he raised his spear against three hundred men, who he killed in one encounter.” 1 Chronicles 11:11 

Jashobeam is similar to Mawar Sharon–Rose of Sharon. In the era of old testament, one Jashobeam could kill 300 people, hence Mawar Sharon as one church, we can also do great things; One swing – 300 local churches will be planted. 

Let this be our vision as God says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

Field Full of Barley
“Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.” 1 Chronicles 11:12-14  

Eleazar and King David, they went to battle together to defend a field full of barley; which is the food supply for Israelites. 

John 3:32 – “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish the work.” 

God does not only teach us how to fight in battles, but He is a God that fights together with us. He wants us to be side by side with Him to defend the barley fields, His food (John 4:34), which is to do His will and finish His Father’s work by saving the lost. Eleazar wanted to fight together with David side by side to defend the field full of barley. Do you want to go battle to defend a field of lost souls with Him? 

Water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem
“David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.” 1 Chronicles 11:17-19 

For the sake of fulfilling King David’s longing, the three mighty warriors risked their lives and broke through the Philistine lines to carry back water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem. This action that was carried out by David’s mighty warriors was not done by order, but they heard the desires of their Lord. 

Jesus also has desires. He does not wants to drink water from anywhere else, but He longs for His people to draw near to Him. 

Water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem speaks about tears of prayers, not tears of self-sympathy or problems that exist in our lives. These tears are offerings stored in His bottle. Weep not because of your flesh, weep because you still choose to love God wholeheartedly even though your flesh fades. Weep because you are thankful for His faithfulness in your life. 

Excerpted from Philip Mantofa’s Sermon, 13 January 2020, Breakfast With God, GMS Surabaya Barat
https://youtu.be/5rpveCz5h9E
https://youtu.be/HbXBCX5drAI

Be a Church that follows Him, gives encouragement, welcomes Him as a king, like how David’s mighty warriors welcomed David as king over Israel.