MIGHTY MISFITS
I Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
Soon after this there were six hundred men. With every victory and trial David gained the loyalty and addition of more of Israel’s less than mighty men. These were the misfits of Saul’s kingdom. Yet, David, God’s anointed, welcomed the oppressed of the land. Everyone suffering a distress, in debt, and discontented found a place of belonging with David. What had happened to the land? Why should the subjects of such a mighty king as Saul suffer life’s continual disappointments? He had offered such promise! He was acclaimed and respected. Every Jew could place trust and loyalty in Saul. Couldn’t they? Had the kingship lost its luster and the business of the office become a reviled chore? Where could the people turn if not to their king?
Disillusion soon follows when we think we have finally achieved our destiny. Saul became disillusioned with the duties of king, embraced disobedience to God, and the people became disillusioned of Saul. Isn’t that the way of the world even today? Already people are becoming disillusioned with the new president of the United States. Herald the new hope of a new age! And we end up with much of the same rhetoric and less of the unusual remedy.
Saul became jealous of God’s man doing God’s work in God’s way. Somewhere along the way Saul forgot or denied God’s lead and right to his life. Every man became a suspect to Saul and another cog on the wheel of paranoia that went spinning out of control through his mind.
From David’s humble beginnings through his sinful endeavors and to the end of his reign the misfits that gathered to him became mighty men. It is a declaration by God and recorded in scripture. Some even became mighty among the mighty. But, they did not gain reputation through their own strength but through their obedience, David’s leadership, and God’s direction. God placed David where He wanted him and David followed God’s will.
II Samuel 23:8 …Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. 9,10 … Eleazar …one of the three mighty men with David, …He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. 11,12 Shammah …the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled… But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory. 18 And Abishai, …was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them… 20,21 And Benaiah …he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
Of course, we can say that each of these mighty men and more besides were loyal to David the man and to David the king. Their loyalty to David, in turn, declared their loyalty to God. They were each blessed and strengthened in their duties. Justifiably so, these men and others are given honor and prestige within God’s word. No, it’s not for the accolades of readers, but a reminder that when God calls we can be so much more than we ever thought to be. Following the right leader and being loyal, dutiful, and true to God’s leading in our life can be the best thing that has ever happened to us and to others.
When we take, for instance, the gathering of misfits in Christ’s service, we see the same results. We have no greater captain than Christ. David was a mighty, honorable, and dutiful man. Yet, he was only a man with frailties like us. But, when we consider the complete obedience, loyalty and duty of Jesus Christ who set the bar above any man, who can be the greater captain? It makes our paltry service to family, country, or job seemingly small in comparison.
So, if Jesus is The Great Captain, who then, are the misfits and where are these mighty men? Everyone born is a misfit and welcome with Christ. We are all in sin’s debt. We have all become discontented with Satan’s promises that are revealed to be lies. Whether we realize it or not we are all in distress, just as passengers on a sinking ship are distressed. The cruel act of our fathers and of ourselves has left us on a course that leads straight to eternal death and destruction.
Where are these mighty men? They have been scattered here and there across the course of God’s blossoming plan. There were the twelve apostles that brought the gospel message to a thirsting world. These also included those like Stephen who slew death’s grip over even the Pharisees of his day. From the mighty Stephen and his preaching there was slain one Saul of Tarsus, and raised one Paul, chief of sinners, a mighty misfit in God’s army. How about those not mentioned in the Bible who came after. There is recent history with Lord Cromwell, John Bunyan, and George Washington, mighty men, all. More recently there have been Charles Spurgeon, Lester Roloff, and Maze Jackson, mighty preachers of the Gospel. There is a man of might in every pulpit that stands up and preaches the gospel of Christ. Every soldier that professes Christ and witnesses to others is mighty in God’s eyes. Why are there not great, mighty, and renowned men of God standing out and proclaiming God’s message to the world?
There are! But there could be more. And, with every more there could be better. Jesus did not leave us to fight the battles alone. We’re given the tools of the trade; a companion of God’s might and unequaled security. Who would dare to be mighty among the mighty? God will not hinder anyone who would serve. How many men of David set out to be mighty men, or just simply set out to serve? All the mighty men of God have one thing in common. They all obeyed God regardless of the apparent circumstances before, during, and after any situation. Some obeyed to a greater degree or disregarded their own persons to a greater extent and became the mighty of many mighty. Their actions just happened to place them among the mightiest of the mighty because of their relative obedience compared to others. In the end they were just another kind of misfit.
Why not go all out for God and follow where Christ leads? Can we follow completely, obediently, and by other’s standards, recklessly? We can only begin when we end.
Have you slain that misfit Saul that looks back at you in the mirror to give mighty Paul a run to the finish?
Who is your captain, misfit and mighty reader?
