1 Chronicles 12:16-22: a reflection

16Some of the children of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. 17David went out to meet them, and answered them, “If you have come peaceably to me to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers see this and rebuke it.” 18Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, “We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse. Peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you.” Then David received them and made them captains of the band. 19Some of Manasseh also joined David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they didn’t help them, for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, “He will desert to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.” 20As he went to Ziklag, some from Manasseh joined him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh. 21They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and were captains in the army. 22For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like God’s army.

David is still a fugitive with a modest band when men begin coming to him at his stronghold. Warriors from Benjamin and Judah arrive; the Spirit comes on their leader Amasai, and he pledges, we are yours, David, and on your side; peace to you, for your God helps you. And then the quiet, telling summary: day by day men kept coming to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God.

Notice how the army was built: day by day. Not in one dramatic surge, but through a steady, unremarkable trickle of individuals, one arriving here, a few there, over time, until the small band had become a great host. What looked at first like a fugitive with a handful of followers grew, person by person, into the army of God.

That is often how God builds his purposes. Not usually in a single spectacular stroke, but gradually, one person, one day, one small addition at a time, until what began tiny has become something large. If you are part of a small beginning, a fledgling work, a handful gathered for something good, do not despise the day by day. God assembles his purposes person by person. Keep going, keep faithful in the small and slow, and trust the One who turns a handful into an army over time.

Lord, you build your purposes day by day, person by person, until a small band becomes a great host. When I am part of a small, slow beginning, keep me from despising it. Help me be faithful in the gradual and unremarkable, trusting you to grow it in your time.