GOING AGAINST AUTHORITY
2 Samuel 3:21-30
Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother. 2 Samuel 3:27
Joab was the chief commander of David’s army. When he learned of Abner’s visit to David, he got angry that David allowed Abner to go freely after all the things Abner had done against him. Before this time, Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel, who was also one of David’s men. Joab doubted Abner’s intentions and felt that he had just come as a spy to observe David’s activities. So, he took the law into his hands, made arrangements, and killed Abner without David’s consent. Joab may have justified his actions by the thought that he was doing it to defend and honour the king and to avenge the death of his brother. Joab brought a curse upon himself, his entire household, and his generations.
God never rejoices when we take laws into our hands or perpetrate illegality with seemingly honest motives. Joab undermined David’s authority by going after Abner. Never be presumptuous with God and never assume the role of God. Joab’s crime was that he made a decision that he was not qualified to make. The choice to kill Abner or not was David’s prerogative. This is akin to avenging ourselves when God clearly states that vengeance is His. We must always be humble and subject to God’s word to avoid this pitfall.
Prayer: Lord, help me to accept and obey Your decisions at all times.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 160 2Samuel 14 -2Sam 15:1-12, Acts 5:12-42; Proverbs 14:15-24
INTENTS AND ACTIONS
2 Samuel 3:31-39
Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, … 2 Samuel 2:36
David sought to please God even in the way he handled the affairs that concerned his enemies. He mourned Abner as a prince who died like a fool. How he mourned Abner endeared him to the heart of all Israel. This was because they had respect for Abner. This act of David pleased the people, and he won their hearts to such an extent that ‘whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.’
Our actions can promote or diffuse tension among those we lead or those around us. People always take note of a leader’s actions. Beyond the flowery words and press releases, the intent of a leader will be known by actions and time. David’s actions after the murder of Abner made the people realise that he never intended to kill Abner. The people did not pay much attention to his words; they took note of his actions. Christians in leadership positions must change the narrative that leaders are liars who say what they don’t mean to score cheap points or to garner favours. Politics is a “dirty game” because people are dishonest about their intentions, words, and actions. Integrity is a virtue that a leader should possess. Integrity is shown when actions and intentions align. Integrity is the agreement of the words of the mouth and the thoughts of the heart.
Prayer
Lord, give us leaders with wisdom and integrity.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 161 2Samuel 15:13-37, 2Sam,16:1-14 Acts 6, Acts 7:1-19Proverbs 3;21-35
VAIN IS THE HELP OF MAN
2 Samuel 4:1-3, 5-7
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5
When Ishbosheth heard that Abner, who put and propped him on the throne, was dead, he knew that his reign was almost over. Ishbosheth was someone who couldn’t stand up for his beliefs because he feared man, “And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.” (2 Samuel 3:11). He was killed by his fellow brothers from the same tribe. This is what happens when we depend solely on man—we would become silent over evil. When our lifting and strength for survival in this world are predicated on the help of men, we have failed woefully. Ishbosheth lacked the will to rule as a king. Abner, though a captain, wielded more power than him a king.
To depend on something means to rely on that thing and be controlled by that thing. Most times, we tend to depend on men for our daily needs, our promotion, our protection, our employment, and even our connections. When we depend on men, we end up being controlled by the man’s will. We’ll be tossed around like toys, and finally, end up with disappointment because man is highly prone to failure. Humans have so many limitations so why should we depend on them? Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” In what aspect of your life do you depend on man? How can you train your heart to depend on God alone?
Prayer
Lord, please help me to depend solely on you in all things and for all things. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 162 2Samuel 16:15-23,-2Sam.18:1-18; Acts7:20-43;Psalm72;1-20
NURTURING THE YOUNG
2 Samuel 4:1-7
But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Carelessness in handling lives or assignments entrusted to our care can be very costly in certain situations. The role of a nurse or medical personnel is very important and delicate. This is because they tend, nurture and watch over the most valuable treasure in the world; life. This job is taken seriously and any mistake can lead to death or deformity for life. This was the case of the nurse of Mephibosheth. Her attempt to save him from assassination scarred him for life. “Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet” (2 Samuel 4:4a); this was the first information we had about Mephibosheth. He suffered for the mistake of his nurse to the extent that he was described by his deformity.
As Christians, especially mature believers, we are caregivers who have the divine responsibility to cater, nurse lives, and oversee the well-being of brethren entrusted to our care, nurturing them to full maturity in Christ. This duty calls for utmost diligence and carefulness to prevent the lives in our care from being worse than how we met them. Have you been negligent in any way over the souls in your care? Ask for grace and desire to be dedicated and diligent in performing your duties so you won’t make “an honest mistake” leading to an undesirable result. Remember, you will give an account to God of those He put in your care!
Prayer
Lord, help me to be careful in discharging my duties and deliver me from carelessness. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 163 2Samuel18:19-33,-2Sam.19. Act7:44-60, Acts8:1-3 Psalm73:1-14
THE APPOINTED TIME
2 Samuel 5:1-10
Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel. 2 Samuel 5:3
David knew God had called him to be king, but the journey from the field to the palace was hard-fought. David could have taken his leadership position by force many times as opportunities presented themselves, but David waited patiently, believing God’s timing was the best. From our text, the fateful day arrived when David became king of all of Israel. Even when the Jebusites taunted David’s ability to conquer and defeat them (2 Samuel 5:6-7), their threats proved weak and empty as David quickly defeated all of them and took residence in their city. Because it was God’s appointed time for David to be king, nothing could stop him from being king. God rewarded David’s patience and faithfulness by establishing a home for David and growing his family.
Waiting on God’s timing goes against our impatient nature but God rewards those who wait for Him. David became “more and more powerful because the Lord God Almighty was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10). David wasn’t lucky; he didn’t have the plans all laid out for him, but he had to trust God every step of the way. He patiently waited for God’s time to be enthroned as king. As we wait for God to give us direction and answers to our prayers, let us do so with hope and not desperation. For He has promised us in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” God makes all things beautiful in His time! Though it tarries, wait for it.
Prayer
Dear Father, cause me to move in sync with Your time. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 164 2Samuel 20,- 2Sam.21; Acts 8:4-40; Proverbs 14:25-35
SEEK GOD FIRST
2 Samuel 5:17-25
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
As a king, one would assume that David would follow the protocol of consulting with his advisers and military force on the plan and strategies to put in place to combat the Philistines, rather he went down to the stronghold and sought God’s opinion. Most times, we don’t like being told what to do, or we have formed the habit of relying on our own wisdom. Seeking God’s face before we take any step depicts our level of reliance on Him. Willingness to receive instruction can serve as an open door that God will use to bless us and others. Just as God had great plans for David, God has great plans for us. However, it is our decision most times that limits us from stepping into our potential and doing something great for God. David involved God in his decisions. He asked God what to do and sought Him first before making any move.
Sometimes we think, “Well, God gave me a brain to use,” or we assume we know best. But, David has shown us the benefits of asking God what to do and doing what He says – “David did as the Lord commanded him,” and he was successful in his battles” (2 Samuel 5:25). Are there situations you could have avoided if you had prayed and done what God said? The great news is that it’s not too late to start now. We can learn from David’s lifestyle of seeking God first. Although David made some costly mistakes, each time He inquired of the Lord, God answered and showed him the way. Let us develop the habit of seeking God first and obeying His instructions and watch Him lead us into His divine purpose and plan for our lives.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to seek You first in all I do. in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 165 2Samuel 22,- 2Sam.23:1-7;Acts 9:1-31; Psalm 73:15-28
WORSHIP- MY RESPONSE TO GOD’S PRESENCE
2 Samuel 6:1-6
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 2 Samuel 6:5
The presence of God represented by the ark in the times of old was in the house of Abinadab and David needed to bring it back to Judah. He chose special men for this task. So they played various musical instruments to welcome back the presence of God. In our world today, we need to recover the sense of reverence that ought to characterise those who gather in the holy presence of the Living God. Each week, people file in and out of a worship centre without ever coming close to sensing the Holy presence of God. It’s very easy to fall into the disease of “playing church,” that is, going through the motions of worship without really encountering God. Worship should be a reverent response to God’s Holy presence not just in a building called ‘church’ but also in our daily living.
David praised God and expressed his gratitude to God through music and dancing. He did not forget to give God the due accolades for saving them in battle. He sought to do the right thing by bringing back the ark of God and He also danced before God, even when his wife mocked him. David spared nothing in giving due acknowledgement to God. Today, God’s tabernacle is in the heart of believers and as such, we ought to adopt the lifestyle of rendering worship due to Him. We should never take the glory after a victory but rather thank God. Do you remember to appreciate God for the victories in your life? Are you conscious of God’s presence in your life?
Prayer
Lord, please help me to be a true worshipper and to worship you in spirit and truth in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 166 2Samuel 23:8-39, -2Sam.24:1-25; Acts9:32-43,-Acts10:1-23;Psalms74:1-9
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