by: Dr. Allen Domelle
1 Chronicles 12:33
“Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.”
When David explained why he was successful in his reign over Israel, he said that one of the reasons was that his men “could keep rank.” David had his mighty men whom we have talked about many times, but what kept the people safe from the enemy and the country running without a hitch were the unseen warriors who were able to keep rank. If the men had not kept rank, we probably would not be able to talk about how the LORD mightily used David.
The success of any church is not going to be determined by who pastors that church, but it will be determined by the people who serve in that church. Every pastor whom God has used greatly had a people who were able to follow him as he followed the LORD. Truly, the greatness of any church will be determined by whether or not the people can “keep rank.” This chapter shows four things necessary to “keep rank.”
First, keeping rank means that you are disciplined to do what you are supposed to do. David’s armies would not have experienced the victories they experienced had they done what they wanted to do. If you are going to be the type of Christian who keeps rank, you are going to lay aside the mentality that you can do whatever you want to do. Everybody has a job to do in the church, and when everyone keeps rank and does what they are supposed to do, the church can then run smoothly. Not only are you to do what you are supposed to do, but you need to be disciplined enough to do it without someone telling you to do it. Those who keep rank understand the importance of just doing their duties without someone always having to tell them to do it.
Second, keeping rank means that you have a devoted heart. You will notice that these men “were not of double heart.” A church will never impact its community with people who can’t decide whether to live in the world or live like God tells them to live. There needs to come a point in your life when you give your whole heart to serving the LORD. God can do mighty works through the church when every Christian gets a singular heart to do what He tells them to do and how He tells them to do it.
Third, keeping rank means that you don’t run from hardship. When the battles came, these men kept rank and didn’t run from the battles. Many churches are hindered because members quit fighting when the battles come. The church will have to fight battles if it is going to continue walking the old paths. God never said it would be easy serving Him. If a church is going to grow and impact its community, it must have people who stay and continue doing what they are supposed to do even in the day of battle.
Fourth, keeping rank mean that you can accept God’s will even when it doesn’t agree with yours. Verse 38 makes it clear that many of these men fought for Saul, but when they saw it was God’s will for David to become king, they accepted God’s will and followed. God’s will won’t always agree with yours, but if your church is going to make an impact, you must be willing to follow whatever God wants your church to do. Don’t be the type of Christian who pouts and quits because you don’t get your way. The church will thrive if every member keeps rank, even when your will and desires collide with the will of God.