- And Abner said to David, “I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my Lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. 2 Samuel 3:21 – Abner was the head general of the king that was enemy to David. Abner was building up a reputation for himself and was growing the power of the enemy king’s throne. Yet, after being falsely accused by the enemy king, Abner chose to side with David instead and he made the above promise to his new leader. Abner said he would use all his influence and connections he had from his past life to bring the whole nation of Israel to David so they too could follow him as their king. This effort of Abner to bring those he had connections with to King David is a great reason why we need to be sharing the Gospel with the lost. See Abner had connections with people that no one on David’s side at that time, and his influence could actually sway them to follow David. When the gospel is embraced by the lost, they too will have connections with people we may never have any influence with. As a result of their old life, they will have relationships and influence with those who are lost that we’ll never have. They’ll be able to sway people to Jesus in ways we may never be able to. Sometimes the greatest missionaries are the ones that once were the exact opposite of a disciple of Jesus. Be willing then to embrace the discomfort to share the gospel with the lost for they will be able to reach more people with the gospel message then likely you ever could. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3022
- 2 Samuel 3 Daily DEVO And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 2 Samuel 3:27 – We must understand people do change. I do though understand why Joab handled it way though. For him as a general he comes back home after a fight and finds out that the enemy general has been speaking with the king and was allowed to leave with nobody watching him or anything. He acted how his mind was telling him too. He though never took the time to hear out Abner’s story. I wonder how many people we’ve stabbed in the stomach with our words or actions because we never have them a chance to change. Remember God saved you and changed you from who you once were. God can do the same in others as well. Give even your enemies a chance to allow God to change them. Our goal in life isn’t to give people what they have coming to them for their past, we’re here to help them know they can have a changed future through Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 434
- Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do. 2 Samuel 3:19 – Abner was the commander of the army that was the enemy of David. After an issue with the enemy leader, Abner chose to switch sides and seek to help David rise to be king. This move of Abner was an essential piece in moving the hearts of the people of Israel that weren’t following David. Abner chose to use his position, influence, and blessing for the purposes of God and as a result David soon was able to fully take the throne. What could take place if you chose this year you use all you had for the purposes of God? If you used your position at work could you begin to change the culture there? If you used your influence in your family could your family actually begin seeing Jesus like they ought? If you used even some of the overflow of your blessings for others could some of the people around you begin stepping out of their bondage and into life with Jesus? What all could happen if you chose to use what you have for God’s purposes rather than your own? Maybe what that will mean is your position, influence, and amount of blessings will change as a result of using them this way, but the amount of lives being changed for Jesus is worth it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1862
Daily DEVO 