David's army consisted of many ranks. At the top of these ranks were David's three mighty men (2 Sam 23:8-17). This Old Testament instance is typical of the ranks now present in the Body of Christ: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Cor 15:22-23). The Greek word used here for "order" is "tagma"; it only occurs once in the New Testament. It's a military term that literally means "a rank; an arrangement; a troop; a body of soldiers; a corp". This terminology is easily cohesive with other themes of Scripture. Paul has likened the Christian life to a race to be run (1 Cor 9:24-27; Heb 12:1-2), with a prize to be won: "I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Phil 3:8).
Did you realize there is something (Someone) to be won? Paul sought to win Christ! We're to be moving up in rank, growing from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18), from faith to faith (Rom 1:17), being emptied from vessel to vessel (Jer 48:11). As we've seen in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, there will be many differing levels of glorification (ranks) in the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:41-42; Dan 12:3). Some will shine brighter than others. The bride of Christ, I believe, is the highest honor, rank and prize that can be attained to - this bride will have won Christ Jesus (Rev 19:7; Matt 25:10)! Interestingly, David's mighty men are typical of this bride: They attained to a certain rank, or degree of glory, and were rewarded.
When we use words such as "attain" and "reward" we are prone to automatically think of working towards, or earning, our salvation. But this is not at all what I'm referencing. Salvation is the free gift of God (Eph 2:8). Scripture makes this perfectly clear. There is nothing you and I could ever do to be worthy enough. Our reward, however, is indeed earned; That's what a reward is, by definition. Hebrews tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6). Paul told the Corinthians that we would all be rewarded according to the sort of work accomplished here on earth: "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward" (1 Cor 3:13-14; 1 Cor 3:8). Those who have neglected their walk with God will still be saved and heaven-bound, but their reward will be lost (1 Cor 3:15). That's not my mere opinion, that's what the Bible says. For the bride of Christ, their reward will be God Himself: "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Gen 15:1).
Just what made these men "mighty men"? What separated them from the rest of David's army? What granted them a higher rank and reward? Well, let's find out...
"And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men" (2 Sam 23:13-17).
All throughout the Bible, King David is a type of the Lord Jesus. Like Jesus, David was a shepherd, king, prophet, psalmist, worshipper, the "well-beloved", and king-priest (2 Sam 23:1-2; Heb 2:12; Acts 2:25-36; etc). Therefore, when we observe the behavior of David's mighty men, we can easily discern the behavior of the bride of Christ, Jesus' "mighty men" who have likewise attained to the highest rank and reward.
What did these mighty men do? Why were they so near and dear to David?
These men heard the sigh of David, even from outside his tent. They were close enough to his heart that they knew what he wanted. And not only that, they fetched his desire. Likewise, the bride of Christ is mighty because she too remains closely attached to the heart of God. Though separated physically for a season, they yet are united as one. From this intimate place, she can hear the longing of God's heart. She can go after His desire! In short, the bride is of the highest rank simply because she is continually beside the Lord Jesus, ministering to Him (Ps 45:9). God is thirsty, will we hear His desire and fetch Him a drink? He wants to partake of the fountains of your heart, will you allow Him? Will we willingly lavish our love upon Him, and satisfy His craving? The bride will always be ready and willing. This is what makes her "mighty". This is what affords her an exceeding great reward (Gen 15:1)! She is a friend of God!
Notice also that this occurred at the Cave of Adullam. The men who were gathered there were those in debt, distress, were discontented, etc (1 Sam 22:2), yet they chose to give David his longing! What selfless men! They weren't at all concerned about their own carnal thirsts, but only that which their King was craving! Likewise, the bride of Christ will be a people who count their own lives as loss for the sake of King Jesus, and all that He desires (Phil 3:8)! Are we able to forsake our own will, desires and wants so that God's purposes can come forth? For the bride of Christ, a resounding YES is her continual answer! For the bride, her life's mission is to die, and allow Jesus to come forth in and through her: "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Her suffering isn't even worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed IN her (Rom 8:18)! Is this our heart today? Is this the heart we long for?
Come Lord Jesus, and make us Your mighty men!
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