1 Samuel 16:21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.As you study Old Testament history, it’s interesting to note that a leader (or a King) didn’t carry their own armor. Their armor was carried by an armorbearer, who we might consider today to be a “personal assistant.” In the 21st century, we don’t wear physical armor. However, we do wear spiritual armor. (Ephesians 6)
When it comes to the ministry of helps, which all of us will operate in regardless of our status in the Kingdom of God, we must “suit up” daily when it comes to how we serve our leaders and assist them as they war a warfare in the Kingdom of God. Our role is to assist them in their quest and strengthen their ability to lead.
The term “armorbearer” isn’t new. It originates from the Hebrew word, nasa, meaning to figuratively or literally lift up, support or simply help.
The 21st Century armorbearer is called to come along side their assigned leader in life, ministry and especially in their fight of faith. The idea is that the armorbearer is called to attend to, minister to, care for, help, be of use, assist, benefit, promote, support, make easy for, nourish, and encourage their leader.
Even if you don’t feel you have been assigned a particular leader to do this with, you still carry the call of armorbearing. That means you possess the mindset and attitude of an armorbearer. That attitude is always servanthood. As an armorbearer, you will seek to do whatever it takes to serve and support your leadership.
What does it take to do this? Well, the qualities at the top of the list are servanthood, commitment, attentiveness, support, help, loyalty and faithfulness. Armorbearing in the attitude of service is not just the performing of humble tasks, but is an effort to serve Christ in the Kingdom of God.
There are many examples to look to for this. In the Old Testament, David stands out. His mighty men; Elisha and Joshua. These men exemplified the armorbearing spirit with excellence. In the New Testament, Barnabas can be considered as well as Stephen and Phillip who were among the seven appointed to wait tables for the early church. Their willingness to serve allowed the Apostles to give a greater focus to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Nothing has changed. We still need armorbearers today to lift the arms of our Church leadership. Again, we are called to the “ministry of helps” as we serve in the Kingdom of God. When we decide, with a watchful eye, to serve our leaders, we bring a fresh wind to the ministry which refreshes those we’re called to serve.