Dressed to Kill
When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. Now Joab was dressed in battle armor; on it was a belt with a sword fastened in its sheath at his hips; and as he was going forward, it fell out. Then Joab said to Amasa, “Are you in health, my brother?” - >2 Samuel 20:8-9
David’s army had left Jerusalem in pursuit of the rebel Sheba. Amasa, as the king’s new captain was now David’s right hand man. He came before Joab, his men, with the king’s body guards and all the king’s mighty warriors (2 Samuel 20:7). As a man of war Joab was dressed to kill; he was in full battle armor ready to meet Sheba. As Joab bent down to greet Amasa his sword fell out from his belt––but was this an accident?
Joab, seemingly in sincerity, asked Amasa if he was in good health. But what was his real attitude towards his cousin who had just replaced him? How was he handling his humiliating demotion? Amasa was not his adversary. But perhaps Joab thought of him as an enemy, as he was now seen by him as the rival to his lost rank before his men.
When you have a good position in ministry or business it can be difficult when the time comes for you to be replaced. God may move you down or over to a different area as He brings someone else up to take your place. It is difficult if you have been in that place for a long time; when all of a sudden someone else is given your position. What is your attitude?
It is important to learn how to gracefully move out of the way and let the Lord use others. But I have noticed how these kinds of changes can become a real problem with people. They begin to question the Lord’s love and doubt the next person’s abilities. Seriously who is qualified? We need to remember people are qualified by the power of the Holy Spirit. In reality it is about God and how He wants to use each of our lives.
It is never a question of how much you and I have of the Spirit,
but how much He has of us.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!