Read: 1 Chronicles 11:10-47; 2 Timothy 2:19
Abishai, the brother of Joab . . . was the most renowned of the thirty . . . but he did not attain to the three. (1 Chron. 11:20-21)
Last year my classmates held a 45th college reunion. We told stories of professors and classmates we vividly remembered. We also reflected that even those whose names we no longer remembered contributed to our lives.
The Chronicler remembers an alumni list of all of King David’s warriors, some attached to colorful stories, and others just a name with little to no memory of their contributions. He remembers Eleazar, the outstanding, who stood with King David against the Philistines when they were greatly outnumbered (vv. 12-14). Three mighty warriors passed through enemy lines to draw water from the Bethlehem well for David to drink though he poured it out (vv. 15-19). And then the Chronicler includes unknown people, like Abishai who was mighty in battle against great odds (v. 20). Yet he did not become the most renowned of the three great generals of David (v. 21). Beginning in verse 26, the Chronicler gives us a list of other mighty warriors with King David that are publicly not known. However, to others whose names are not chiseled in the wall of honor, they are remembered by those in service of the king.
“The Lord knows those who are his” (2 Tim. 2:19). Most of us are not famous. We may at times have been forgotten by our church or our families, and even feel to ourselves that we do not count. But the good news is that connected to Jesus Christ, we are known by God.
As you pray, give thanks that when you feel small, God knows you.
About the Author
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland Michigan.
