Pursue God
Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill. Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?” And Joab said, “As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.” - 2 Samuel 2:25-27
After running all day, Abner and his men stopped to make a stand against Joab and his men. They knew they could not continue to run from their troubles. They had to stand together and face the enemy.
It is important to remember, Abner and his men started this conflict. They came to Gibeon to confront David’s men. They stirred up the hornet’s nest, and then ran when they got stung. There was no reason for them to come against David’s men. They did it because they thought they could defeat them easily. They believed in their own strength.
As they faced another battle, Abner tried again to turn his enemy back. He said, “Should we have more bloodshed? Should you continue to pursue your brothers?” Faced with complete defeat, Abner calls Joab his brother, which he was. They were all God’s children—one nation.
When you read this story, does it make you think of mistakes you have made? Have you caused situations you could not handle or get out of? It is so important for us to pursue God, and leave everything up to Him.
Knowing God is your single greatest privilege as a Christian.
~Sinclair Ferguson~
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