The Old Testament tells us about valiant men. Men of Honor, who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their King. Men who were completely dedicated to their Lord willing to go wherever they were sent and do whatever needed to be done.
David had such Mighty Men
1Chronicles 11:10 And these were the chief of the mighty men whom David had, making themselves strong with him in his kingdom, with all Israel to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, a Hachmonite, the chief of the captains. He lifted up his spear against three hundred, who were killed by him at one time.12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, he was one of the three mighty ones.13 He was with David at Pas-dammim. And there the Philistines were gathered together to battle and a portion of the field was full of barley. And the people fled from before the Philistines.14 And they set themselves in the midst of that place, and delivered it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.15 And three of the mighty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam. And the Philistine army camped in the Valley of the Giants.16 And David was then in the stronghold, and the Philistines garrison was then at Bethlehem.17 And David longed and said, Oh that someone would give me drink from the water of the well of Bethlehem, which was by the gate!18 And the three broke through the Philistine army and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David. But David would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 19 And he said, May my God forbid me to do this thing. Shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in danger? For they brought it with their lives. And he was not willing to drink it. These three mighty ones did these things.
Sometimes I wonder if we still have such mighty men within our midst. I hear stories of valiant men in the Military or in Law Enforcement . Men willing to give up their lives so that others may live. But I often wonder if we still have such men outside a war zone or the mean streets. As I thought about this the Lord reminded me of three Valiant Men. Men who are not in the military or law enforcement. Normal men who have families, hold a steady job, and live a life fully committed to the Lord. Men who go where the Lord sends them to do His will, regardless of consequences. Men who should be imitated as they imitate Christ.
1Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Modern Day Valiant Men
Valiant Man # 1 is a scholar who to an outsider would look fairly un-intimidating. That is until he opens his mouth and gives you a proper serving of God’s wisdom. Valiant Man # 1 has dedicated his life to study God’s word and make disciples. He has passed up several opportunities to make more money or have a more prestigious position in order to have time to love his wife, raise his children and minister to those around him. He has almost no free time as he spends every spare minute preparing himself and ministering to others. He teaches God’s word. He leads men’s groups. He counsels couples. He gives up all of himself so that others, including his family, may grow in their walk with the Lord. He is changing the world of those around him by sacrificing himself for them. He holds no title in his church, yet he is a leader of warriors for the Lord. A Mighty Man of God willing to brave enemy strongholds in order to bring disciples to his Lord.
Valiant Man #2 is a business man who works long hours and has the weight of a national company on his shoulders. He has a family, but always finds time for his brothers in Christ. He is loyal to a fault. Faithfully serving the flock, like a good Shepherd should. He is always the first in and last one out. He does not need to be told where or when there is a need, he’s already on it. He preaches more with his daily walk than a crazy street corner preacher with a megaphone. You can call him at 2:00 am on a week day and he will be there for you. You can ask him to borrow his new Pick Up truck and he will gladly hand over the keys. Even when he is handed a rotten hand he never complains, never grumbles. I have seen this Mighty Man go through a weekend with little sleep for the sake of the flock and gladly go to his regular job on Monday morning. He is the man you want at your side when the going gets tough and it hits the fan. He will roll up his sleeves and not stop until the job gets done. Serving the Lord by serving others is what drives him. Now that I think of it, he is like a good sheep dog, faithful to his Master and willing to lay down his life for his sheep. He will die by your side facing the enemy. He is the ultimate example of a servant for the Lord. A Mighty Man of God willing to sacrifice it all in order to serve his brethren.
Valiant Man # 3 has had many ups and downs in his life. A free spirit who has taken many roads. But once he found the narrow gate he became a champion for the truth, a defender of the faith. He is a compassionate man who truly cares for his fellow man. Even when tragedy struck his family he ministered to those who came to console him. He has been mistreated, hurt, pushed away, but he holds no grudges, nor seeks revenge. He trusts in his Lord and prays for those who have been unfair to him. A compassionate man, a loving man, but a man who takes a stand and holds the line when it comes to his Lord. A Mighty Man willing to open his heart, take a blow and get hurt in order to minister to those who have been hurt.
David had many Mighty Men, but three stood out from the rest. I have met many Mighty Men of God, but these three are more honorable than the others. They are not in ministry full time or work for a church. They hold no titles. They are hard working family men that spend every second of their day and all of their (little) spare time doing the Lord’s work. Discipline. Serving. Ministering.
Like David’s top Mighty Men, these men willingly disregard their wants, needs, or desire in order to serve their Master, King, and Lord. Serving their King honorably comes first, everything else is second. They put us, double-minded men, to shame.
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be of this mind. And if in anything you are otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you.16 Yet, as to what we have already attained, let us walk in the same rule, let us mind the same thing.17 Brothers, be imitators together of me, and mark those who walk this way, for you have us for a pattern.
Like Paul, these modern day Mighty Men are examples for the flock, and are to be imitated as they imitate Christ. See 1 Peter 5:3; 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Cor. 4:16.
