Back-end Support of Ministry

[S] 2 Samuel 17:27-29 --
27  Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,28  brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, 29  honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said,  "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness."

[O] There are times of war and there are times of rest and re-energizing because we cannot go full force at all times.  David and his men were running on empty in more of a survival mode until they arrived here at the place of Mahanaim and Shobi where they were provided with food to rest and recuperate from the weariness.  It must have been like an oasis in the desert for these men.  At times of war we may only focus on the fighting front while the back-end support is as important and critical.  In the spiritual battle we're surrounded by, we can easily fall into the same mindset of busily fighting away the enemy's attacks while somewhat neglecting to suppor those in the battle front.

[A] In our church community, we need to be sensitive to all the servants, despite their titles or roles, taking the beating from the spiritual battle and how much support they need.  The support of encouragement, "food" to replenish their strengths, and a place of rest.  Building up a community of believers isn't always about moving forward & forward, but at times that time of rest in the presence of like-minded caretakers is as critical.

[P] Dear Jesus, please send Your Holy Spirit in the midst of our community to gain the wisdom of providing the right support to each other in order we not grow weary in the fighting our enemy. Let us encourage and re-energize each other to go forward in unity.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.