2 Samuel 2 -- Affection Blinds People To God's Will

I am constantly amazed at the way the writer of my commentary is able to link the stories I read to modern-day dilemmas in the church!

Here, David was anointed by the men of Judah to be their king, while Saul's general and cousin Abner pressed for Saul's third and last remaining son to be the king of all Israel.  David first thanked the men of Jabesh Gilead for bravely retrieving the bodies of Saul and Jonathan and his brother and giving them a proper burial.  But these men didn't choose to submit to David but instead followed Abner and Saul's other son, Ish-Bosheth.

My commentary said, "The people of Jabesh Gilead allowed their affection for Saul to blind them to God's plan for the nation.  They had a good motive but they made a bad choice.  How often in the history of the church have God's people allowed human affection and appreciation to overrule the will of God!  Jesus Christ is Kind and He deserves our submission, loyalty, and obedience.  To put human leaders ahead of God's anointed King is to create division and weakness in the ranks of the Lord's followers and invite multiplied problems for the Lord's people."

"While Joab led the army of Judah, David watched and waited, knowing that the Lord would one day open the way for him to reign as king over all Israel ... David had to wait on God's timing while patiently enduring the consequences of the selfish ambitions and reckless actions of leaders who were motivated by pride and hatred.  David learned to build with the materials at hand and to trust God to use disappointments to the advantage of his people."

"Our political and religious worlds are populated by these same three kinds of people ... weak people like Ish-Bosheth, who get where they are because they have connections ... strong, selfish people like Abner, who know how to manipulate others for their own personal profit ... and people of God like David who are called, anointed, and equipped but must wait for God's time before they can serve.  During more than 50 years of ministry, I have seen churches and other ministries bypass God's chosen men and women and put unqualified people into places of leadership just because they were well-known or had connections," my commentary added.

Father, please help our church to seek those You desire and have chosen to lead.  Make us ready to hear Your voice and respond as You direct.  Don't let us make incorrect choices as these people did.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford