Tuesday, March 3, 2009

2 Samuel 3: Letting Your Guard Down

Even been in a fight? The first rule of fighting, aside from trying not to get hit of course, is never let your guard down. Unfortunately for Abner that’s exactly what he did. Abner was the commander of Saul’s army; a man who by all appearances was well-respected. But he had his enemies. First, there was Ish-Bosheth. He’s Saul’s son who falsely accuses Abner of a wrong relationship (v. 7). Then there’s his old nemesis Joab. Joab if you recall was after Abner since the day his brother was killed in battle by Abner (2 Sam. 2:23). Abner didn’t want to harm Asahel but the young man wouldn’t stop in his pursuit to kill Abner, so Abner defending himself ends Asahels pursuit.

After Saul’s death, helping establish Saul’s son as king and being falsely accused, he leaves to serve David. He’s fully committed to the Lord’s promise to David. You see, the Lord promised David the kingdom. But the one thing Abner neglected to keep in mind was his enemies. Joab was still looking to avenge his brother’s death. And Abner was so concerned about David’s business that he completely let’s his guard down and it costs him his life.

Have you noticed that others don’t always have your best interests in mind? It’s amazing how unresolved issues create all kinds of trouble. Abner’s cost him his life at the hands of Joab. Now I seriously doubt we’re going to find ourselves in a situation even remotely close to the one Abner found himself in. However, we can still learn from his murder. When we’re doing God’s work (Abner was helping establish David as the next King over Israel based on God’s promise) we need to be aware not everyone is with us in carrying out and committing to God’s plan. We’re going to face obstacles and we’re going to face people who want to impose their own will and not God’s will in our lives.

Our responsibility is to be innocent as a dove and as wise as the serpent, so be alert. Paul says it well in Colossians 3:2 that we’re to set our minds on the things above and not on earthly things. Yet at the same time we must realize, man’s ways are not God’s ways. We’re going to face opposition. Let’s learn from Abner that even while we’re doing a good thing, following God’s plan, bad things can come our way. Remember to always be on guard when you’re on a mission for God.

Posted by Joe Stecz

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