Inner Circle

On April 28, 2007, I had a dream. In the dream, my car was stolen and I was looking for it.  I told two of my friends about my missing car and they joined me in looking for it. As we walked around, we came to a big river. It looked impossible to cross but then my friend saw a rope stretched across the river. We decided to get on the rope to cross the river. My friends crossed one at a time. I got on the rope and noticed some guys were waiting to cross also. Then I woke up.

For a long time, I pondered on the meaning of this dream.

Second Samuel 23:8-39 contains a list of names.  Why is this list in the bible? What can we learn from this list of names?

These are the names of David’s mighty warriors. These men were in David’s inner circle. They were his close confidants. According to 1 Samuel 22: 1-2, they were from a larger group of discontented outcasts who followed David while he was fleeing from Saul. They were imperfect men who were loyal to David. They showed courage and wisdom in the various battles they fought (2 Samuel 23: 8-20).

Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion (2 Samuel 23:20).

Ultimately, David’s victories were from the Lord. However, David also had support from the men in his inner circle who fought valiantly by his side. These valiant men not only fought alongside David, they also encouraged him. For example, David wanted to drink water from a well near Bethlehem. These men went through the enemy’s camp and risked their lives to get the water for David (2 Samuel 15-16).

You are probably wondering, what is the connection between David’s mighty men and my dream? Shortly after my dream, I faced a fierce battle for my marriage.  As I prayed, the Lord laid on my heart that the two friends in my dream were selected to support me.  I reached out to these two sisters who are both maturing Christians. They came alongside me and held my hands up in prayers when the battle was intense. When I was discouraged, they listened to me and even cried with me on many occasions.

Over time the Lord increased the number of warrior sisters and brothers in my inner circle. Like David’s mighty warriors, these saints have walked with me through thick and thin. They continue to provide prayers, support, and accountability. They encourage me to keep my focus on the Lord regardless of the intensity of my trials and opposition. We are not meant to do life alone.  Oftentimes, God will call others to encourage and support us through difficult times. I will share how God used some of these warriors in my life in the next couple of blog posts.

Do you have an inner circle of friends? If you don’t have an inner circle, will you ask the Lord for believers who can stand with you as you grow in your faith?

 Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the mighty women and men of faith that you have chosen to encourage me in my walk with you. Thank you for their love and support as I journeyed through various crises in my life. Bless each of them Lord, in Jesus name. Amen