Characteristics of the Fighting Army: #3: Be An Army of Valiant Men

Posted by rfathers on February 27, 2010

The New Fighting Army must be an Army of Valiant Men. Throughout the Old Testament Valiant Men or Men of Valour are described with such terms as men who were able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war (1 Chronicles 5:18).

However, we find that it is not enough to have the ability to fight. The Old Generation of Fighting Men had the ability to fight – but they did not have the will to fight. Fighting men must be courageous.

Valiant men have also been described in the Old Testament as having the heart of a lion (2 Samuel 17:10). However, that also is not enough. Valiant men today must have the knowledge of God that gives them the conviction to fight for the right things. They need to be like the valiant men who where with Saul when he first became king. They were men whose hearts God had touched (1 Samuel 10:26).

Our example is the fighting men who most notable distinguished themselves in the Bible, known as the Men of Issachar. These were brave men whose actions helped to propel the Nation of Israel into a time of unity and peace in one of its most crucial times in history after the death of King Saul.

There had been many years of intense division and fighting in Israel between the house of Saul and the house of David. Once David had established himself in Hebron, many of the fighting men of the Nation came to honor David and pledge their allegiance to him. The Men of Issachar were in that number:

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. (1 Chronicles 12:32 KJV)

These men who came to honor David were distinguished by seven points – that are also relevant for today:

1. they understood the challenges that Israel was experiencing,
2. they knew what needed to be done,
3. they had the courage to act on their convictions,
4. they were leaders who brought others with them,
5. they acted in faith and purpose,
6. they were mighty men of war, and
7. they put their personal agendas aside.

Today, my brothers, the Fighting Army for the 21st century follows in the footsteps of the Men of Issachar.

As we said earlier, it is not enough to be able to fight or even to have the will to fight. The New Generation of Fighting Men must know why we fight – and this conviction must come from within. The New Generation of Fighting Army is an Army of God, a spiritual army that is prepared to fight and is prepared to win.

In our next post we will discuss how the New Fighting Army will only Fight God’s Anointed Battles.

Please tell others about this important series on God Is Calling for a New Generation of Fighting Men.