Tues.’s Devo - Choices

Read: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30 The troops of David faced the troops of Ishbosheth. Isbosheth’s army commander was Abner who was Saul’s uncle. David’s army commander was Joab who was David’s nephew. Joab had two brothers also in the army named Abihai and Asahel, all sons of David’s sister Zeruiah. *** Joab and Abner each chose 12 men to fight each other. They killed one another, beginning the battle. The army of David (Joab) defeated the army of Israel. Joab’s younger brother, Asahel chased Joab relentlessly. Joab kept telling him to go kill someone else because he didn’t want to have to kill him, but Asahel wouldn’t relent. Finally, Joab thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel’s body killing him. *** When Asahel’s brothers found out what had happened to him, they went after Joab. They met him at the hill of Ammah and Abner called for peace. Joab agreed and blew the ram’s horn calling his men from the fight. Joab led his men home and accessed that they had only lost 20 men while Abner had lost 360. *** They had many battles against each other with David’s dynasty increasing and Saul’s army decreasing. David had seven sons while living and reigning in Hebron. *** Abner was a powerful leader in Saul’s kingdom. One day, Ishbosheth rebuked Abner for sleeping with his father’s concubine, Rizpah. Abner was so offended, he threatened to join David’s efforts. He sent a message to David offering to defect to his side. David told him he could prove his faithfulness by bringing him back his wife, Michal. Abner brought her to David along with twenty of his men. David prepared a feast for them and they made a covenant to make David their king and rule all of Israel and Judah. Abner left to rally all Israel to David. *** In the meantime, Joab returned from battle and learned that the king had sent Abner away in peace. He was still fuming over the death of his brother that Abner had killed. He went after Joab and killed him. When David found out about it he was very upset. He cursed every generation of Joab with leprosy, crippling, violent death by the sword or starvation. *** David wept and fasted the day of Abner’s funeral and proved he was innocent in his death. This pleased the people and David became more and more popular and his kingdom stronger and stronger. ** In John, Jesus was having his last supper with his disciples before Passover. Jesus knew it was time to leave earth and go back to his Father in heaven. Jesus got up and went around to all his disciples and washed their feet. Simon protested when he came to him, but Jesus explained that he would not belong to him unless he allowed him to wash his feet. Peter then asked Jesus to wash his hands and head as well. Jesus answered that if you have clean feet then the rest of you will be clean. What he was saying was that if your walk and path is righteousness, then your mind and your deeds will be righteous also. He even washed Judas’ feet to show that he had been given the chance to have a clean heart, but he chose on his own not to walk in it. Jesus even said, “The one who acts my food has turned against me.” He was telling them beforehand that he knew Judas would betray him but it will lead to their salvation. *** Jesus was deeply troubled when he told them one of them would betray him. He then dipped the bread in the bowl and gave it to Judas. When he ate it, Satan entered into him and he left. The disciples were still in the dark as to what was happening. It all made sense after Jesus died and came back. *** Joab and Judas were both examples of fallen men who refused to forgive and believe in God’s way. They both ended their lives cursed from their own choices. God gave us free will so that we could determine our fate. May we choose wisely. *** Lord, help us to believe even when we don’t understand. May we not take things into our own hands but trust in your wisdom and guidance.