Do you have an armorbearer?
In the Bible, you only see an armor bearer mentioned in the Old Testament, but the same duties and responsibilities continue on even today.
An armor bearer was a young man that would carry the weapons and shield of the man he was under, much like a knight's squire that would carry the weapons into combat, but also use the shield to protect his master. Over time he would train and even be able to fight alongside the warrior or knight.
Sometimes the armor bearer would use the shield or weapon to protect or defend the flank of his master.
In 1 Samuel 14: 1-14 we read of Jonathan and his armor bearer defeating the Philistines.
We see that David became Saul's armor bearer in 1 Samuel 16:21
But it isn't just about having one person, there are times you need a full garrison of brothers.
The foundation of the 318 Project comes from Genesis 14:14. Here we see that Lot was taken captive and Abraham raised up with his 318 men and servants that were trained in his household to go and rescue Lot.
Proverbs 17:17 says " A friend loves at all times, but a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friends."
To sharpen a sword or weapon means that it has been used in a battle and has been dented, chipped and gotten dull from hitting against the enemies armor and shield.
As an armor bearer and brother in arms that is what we are required to do for our fellow brothers. We may see their flaws, just as they see ours and through guidance and prayer allow the Holy Spirit to mend us.
The thing is that Satan doesn't just attack us from the same direction. He may first come at us with a frontal assault then the next time a sneak attack from behind or end tries to side swipe you or me, that is why we need brothers praying for us on all sides, almost like we are covered in a box on all six sides.
Going back to David, Over time he rose from being just a young shepherd that became King Saul’s armor bearer, to became King David that had his mighty warriors that stood out as his elite force of mighty men that is stated in 2 Samuel 23:8-36. Many of these warriors risked their lives because they believed in King David.
He even had his army of 600 men that followed him when he was running from King Saul.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 talks about the value of a friend.. When you and I read it, we tend to associate it with marriage , but this also applies to any friendship.
This is that unity and bond that when the enemy comes and attacks you, there is strength in numbers to overcome and defeat Satan.
So as I am coming to a close, my challenge to you is to start praying about and looking for those brothers that you can unite with that will be your band of brothers, but also that you can be theirs also. It isn’t just to say that you have a brother by your side, but to also know that they won’t abandon you in times of trouble. I want to encourage you to really search for that man that will be a mentor and brother in your life, but to also look for those men that you can be a mentor and brother to help encourage them.
Music from Epidemic Sound:
song during Intro: Choirs of War by Dream Cave- https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/FR6Ed05Tc0/I
song - The Gallant Squire by Jon Bjork https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/8nGHn5OQSj/
Anvil sound effect -https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ysH73yQcGi/
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