“What could be better than praying about it? I’m praying non-stop on my knees, on my elbows, on my feet and yes, on my back!”
“But don’t you think you should send out a few resumes to prospective employers? Shouldn’t you, at least apply for some jobs?”
Or – “Yes, you’re praying about your pain, but don’t you think you should be seeing a doctor about it?”
Or – “Yes, you’re praying about people trusting Christ, but shouldn’t you also be helping to spread the Gospel?”
In King David’s day, the battle lines were being drawn between King David’s army and the Ammonites. In addition to their own men, the Ammonites hired another 33,000 men to fight with them.
King David’s Five Star General, Commander Joab was not going to underestimate what he was up against. There would be nothing slipshod about his battle plan. He didn’t formulate his response based on FaceBook’s celebrity military strategists or self-proclaimed war experts or the dubious insights or advice of those promoting their agenda on the social media platforms of 1000 BC.
Joab was the commander for a reason. He had a proven track record. Joab’s strategy was not going to be a half-hearted effort – nor would they be caught off-guard. He selected the best troops in Israel and carefully devised a bullet-proof military strategy (maybe ‘arrow’-proof!!). Joab took nothing for granted.
When all the necessary plans were made and just before he gave his marching orders, Joab said this to his soldiers:
Are You a Christian? “It’s None of Your Business!”
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Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight. 2 Samuel 10:12 NASB
“No wimping out! Give it all you’ve got. Cover every base. And through it all, put your trust in God, knowing that He will do what is GOOD in HIS sight.”
Joab was a complex character, and his personal relationship with God has often been questioned. Theologians and Old Testament scholars can continue to debate his character but let’s acknowledge the wisdom in his words above. Joab seemed to understand the balance between the army’s responsibility and what God would ultimately achieve.
Just think of this: God has given you eyes to see or read what is happening all around you. He gave you a mind to think things through – to look at the facts; to consider the pros and cons; to weigh up the options and to make intelligent decisions. He has given you a mouth to speak words and feet to go places and hands to do things. That’s your part.
Commander Joab didn’t say: “Well, if God wants us to die, we’ll die. If He wants us to lose to our enemies – we’ll lose.”
It almost sounds spiritual to just fold your arms as you say: “God’s will be done,” when it could really be Christian negligence – yes, negligence. It almost sounds spiritual just to say: “I’m leaving it with the Lord. I’m praying.”
Let’s remember this: there’s a time to pray only and there’s a time to pray and act simultaneously and there’s a time to give it all you’ve got, in humble dependence on the Lord, fully understanding that at the end of the day – God will do what is GOOD in HIS sight.
Is this message for you today?
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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