Saturday 5 September, 2020

2 Samuel 3:22-39

Treachery, revenge, murder, curses, the Bible has it all!  This narrative starts back in chapter 2 but ends here with Joab murdering Abner to avenge his brother Asahel’s death in battle.  We may not understand all the battle protocols and the aspirations for power of the time but revenge and murder have not changed through the millennium.

Joab’s heart seemed set on revenge, regardless of what his King had done and what Abner was now about to do in uniting the kingdom.  Scripture reminds us constantly to guard our hearts, Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

I admit, it’s not always easy to keep my heart going in the right direction, my thoughts more easily go to the negative and my heart begins to harden when something or someone crosses what I think should have happened. So many times, I’ve had to mediate on Phil 4:8 to get past the negative, to re-centre my heart toward how Jesus would have me live rather than my own natural desires, “So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honourable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.” (TPT)

Lord Jesus, how wonderful that you have given us your Word to guide our hearts, to keep them soft, to enable me to live my best life. Holy Spirit help me to guard my heart to bring honour to the Father always.

Written by Suzie Hodgson