1 Chronicles 12

For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, b like an army of God.

(1Ch 12:22)

And continuing with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they shared food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

(Act 2:46-47)

Do you see the connection in these 2 verses? Both talk about a day by day increase in the kingdom of God. The verse from our chapter today tells us that “day by day” men where joining up with the army of Israel to help David as he took control of the kingdom. We are told that it became “like an army of God”. It wasn’t the army of David, or even just the army of Israel… it was the army of God. Do you remember that song we used to sing when we were kids; “I’m in the Lord’s Army”? You see, when we become a part of the church, we become a part of God’s kingdom, and we are enlisted in God’s Army. We don’t fight other people though, for our battle is SPIRITUAL in nature. We do battle through prayer, in the heavenly places.

What I want us to notice though is that in each of these verses, the Lord was causing the army to grow. The question I want t ask is “Why”? Why did God cause these groups to grow… what can we do if we want to see God’s kingdom grow today?

Acts tells us this… “They were continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and in fellowship and in the breaking of the loaves, and in prayers.” 1 Chronicles says… “All these were men of war, keeping rank, they came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over Israel. And also all the rest of Israel was of one heart to make David king.” Fellowship with God and with one another, unity in heart, a desire to see the Lord work, a holy sense of expectation… These people were tight with God, tight with one another, and excited to see what God would do in their midst. What about us? Do we fit in here? Are we close to the Lord, close to one another, excited to see what God might do? If not, YOU can make a difference. How??? By putting the Lord first, by loving others second, and by thinking of yourself last. Selfishness will stop ALL of these things from happening, but a selfless, God seeking, others serving attitude will transform you and those around you. Let’s allow our hearts to be unified in the Lord, and stand back and watch what He does in our midst.