Tues.’s Devo - God’s Plan is Always Better

Read: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30
The house of Saul, under the kingship of Ish-Bosheth fought the house of David for two years. Abner was Ish-Bosheth’s commander and Joab was David’s commander. Abner killed Joab’s brother, Asahel even though Joab warned Asahel not to mess with him. David’s army became more powerful, and Saul’s kingdom became weaker. Abner disrespected king Ish-bosheth by sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines and Ish-bosheth rebuked him for it. This offended Abner so much he decided to help David become the king. He met with David and promised to persuade Israel to follow David. David agreed to befriend him if he would give him back his wife that he had been promised by Saul. Abner agreed and left just before Joab came back to camp. When he heard what had happened he set out and killed Abner to avenge his brother’s blood.
When David heard about what Abner had done, he cursed Joab’s family with leprosy and crippling diseases. David mourned Abner’s death at his funeral and all Israel took note and it turned their heart toward David.
God can turn every mistake man makes to his glory. Abner was going to be David’s best asset. He was going to draw Israel to him, restore his wife and help him establish the kingdom. When Joab killed him, it looked like everything was lost. At the funeral, Israel saw the heart of David and believed that he had no part in Abner’s death. God always has a plan which is better than our best ones.
In John, we are at the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. He don’s a towel and washes his disciples’ feet. This was such an act of servanthood and humility. Jesus was setting an example to them of what he wanted them to do. Now, he was sending them out to serve others and each other like he had served them. He even washed Judas, his betrayer’s feet! He singled him out and told him to leave which none of the others understood till later.
There are many times God will remove people from our lives that we don’t understand why, but we have to trust him. God knows the heart of all men. Jesus had to leave so they could grow up. Judas had to leave because he was not part of them.
Lord, help us to rest in your plan for our lives.