DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL
Sunday, 4 September 2016
TOPIC: REVENGE KILLS
Text: 2 Samuel 3:12-25
Key Verse: “Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?” (2 Samuel 3:24).
Many things people do today are not as simple and innocent as they appear. Beneath their actions are often a hidden motive, which is in itself the by-product of a corrupt mind. This is why believers must pause to ponder over what people urge them to do, even when they appear to be protecting their (believers’) interest.
Joab, the commander of David’s army, was very angry when he returned from battle and learnt that his enemy, Abner, the military power behind Saul who had prevented David from reigning over Israel, had visited David in Hebron and made a deal with him. His impudence and self-confidence were very clear when he spoke insolently to the king, as he sought to convince David that Abner did not mean well. What he didn’t know or refused to accept was that Abner had concluded that it was impossible to continue to prevent David from reigning over all Israel. He was therefore, genuinely seeking a peaceful way to bring all Israel under David’s rule. In essence, he was working in David’s interest. But Joab was blinded by a long-standing bitter grudge he had against Abner for killing his (Joab’s) brother in battle. To think that a man he had been seeking to kill can be welcomed by David enraged him. He later tricked Abner and killed him in cold blood.
But the consequence of his action continued in his family for generations. We must not be blinded by bitterness and anger that we overlook the interest of our Saviour Jesus Christ; neither should grudge or prejudice against people influence us into preventing them from making peace with God by accepting Christ. A child of God does not harbour malice or bitterness against anyone, whatever their past offence towards him. There are dire consequences for those who hold grudge even while claiming to be children of God.
Thought for the day: Allow God alone to repay those that hurt you.
Bible Reading in one Year: Psalm 85-8
