“So Abner said to him, ‘Turn to
your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself,
and take for yourself his spoil. But Asahel
was not willing to turn aside from following him.
“Abner repeated again to Asahel, ‘Turn
aside from following me. Why should I
strike you to the ground? How then could
I lift up my face to your brother Joab?’
“However, he refused to turn
aside; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear,
so that the spear came out at his back.
And he fell there and died on the spot.
And it came about that all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen
and died, stood still.
“But Joab and Abishai pursued
Abner, and when the sun was going down,
they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Glah by the way of the
wilderness of Gibeon.
“The sons of Benjamin gathered
together behind Abner and became one band, and they stood on the top of a
certain hill. Then Abner called to Joab
and said, ‘Shall the sword devour [consume] forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the
end? How long will you refrain from telling
the people to turn back from following their brothers?’” II Samuel 2:21-26
After Saul and his son were killed
it was utter chaos. David learns of Saul’s
death, mourns for him and is directed by God to go to Judah where he is openly (I
Samuel 16:13) made king.
However, Abner (Saul’s
commander-in-chief) had other ideas and selected a different king - not David. Civil war broke out (the start of the
Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel).
Asahel (one of David’s 30 select and
loyal warriors) took matters into his own hands and stubbornly pursued Abner believing
he should confront Abner for David. Abner’s
fight was not with Asahel, yet he killed him anyway when he refused to listen.
It is important to remember that
being persistent is not the same as being stubborn. Stubbornness can blind us to reason and this
civil war delayed God’s chosen people yet again while they fought for position
and power.
Take care with love, especially
His! Your servant and friend in Christ,
who still prays for you each morning.
Darlene
PS: Please
pray for this ministry. This is the 20th
year of endeavouring to serve others in His name to offer a smattering of
Scripture daily. Find my statement of faith by clicking (or cut and
paste this link into your Web browser): https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com You can
find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for “WeakDay
Devotion” (Also, there is a “Google
Blogger” App you can download to read them on your phone.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
- · Grant – Grant’s father passed away, unexpectantly. He and his wife, Sue, have been caring for both his parents for many years. Please pray for strength, compassion and wisdom for Grant as he deals with the practical, personal and emotional issues.
- ·
Patti’s best friend
– has now lost both her parents after years of caring for them. Pray for her comfort and hope in the future.
- ·
Simon
Flinders (my pastor) and family – now on
long-service leave. Pray for their refreshment and deepening of
family bonds. Pray the family enjoys time
to focus on the love of their Saviour and all the gifts and blessings He has
provided them.
- ·
No update yet about Jen – my sweet
friend in the UK, doctors found a blood clot. She must rest. Her heart is troubled though, as her precious
companion dog, Honey, is also growing very frail.
- · Doris (my second Mom) - now 100 – is back to her enthusiastic-for-the-Lord self. Pray for Patti, her daughter, as she remains so faithful in sacrificing time and making the effort to always demonstrate God’s love to her precious mother. Doris (and her husband, Owen, now waiting for Doris in Heaven) both prayed faithfully to bring me to the foot of the Cross.
- ·
Paul –Still
looking for work (since 2010). Pray for his
ongoing resilience and that the Lord would allow him to be successful with a
role. I know the Lord is watching over
him because of your prayers. Most of
all, pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts. Pray for my wisdom and patience as he
continues to stay here.
- ·
USA
– that the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting way
during these times of unrest and confusion.
Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone. And let the truth of God’s Word and ways
overcome the drive to destroy our founding values.
- ·
Sergio
– found a job for now, but it wearing him out physically. His diabetes is under control and he’s found
a place to live. Thank you for praying
and please do not stop.
- ·
Toron – finishing
his high school studies needs your prayers for continued strength, focus and
confidence, especially with maths.
- · Me – The Lord is working out something new in my life right now. Please pray for my courage and strength as I follow His leading.
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