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Somebody Loves You - April 23, 2017

Follow God

Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you. Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’” - 2 Samuel 3:17-18

Notice, what Abner said. In the past, the elders had been seeking to make David their king. If they wanted David to be their king, what happened? Why did eleven tribes of Israel choose to follow Ishbosheth instead of David? Abner was the one behind their rebellion. He set Ishbosheth up as king, but now he changed his mind.

It is important to recognize, the children of Israel were following a man. They were not seeking God and His plan for the nation. They were swayed by the persuasive words of Abner. They not only refused David as king, they refused the will of the Lord; they turned from God.

I believe God was using Abner at this point. He had turned the people away from God, and now he was bringing them back to Him. He pointed out it was the will of God for David to be king, and God would use David to defeat their enemies, the Philistines. God was fulfilling His promise to David, “I am going to be with you as long as you are with Me and I am going to bless you.”

Listen, you cannot choose to follow a man who is not led by the Lord. That person will lead you away from the Lord, not to Him. If you follow man, you will miss out on the blessings of the Lord.

God leads His people out of sin by faith; through the world by hope; into heaven by love.
~Michael Ayguan~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!