READING: 2 Samuel 23-24, John 2
God graciously puts people in our lives to help us walk well with Him. Indeed, people are God’s gifts to us, even when they must confront us in our wrong. The question is whether we actually listen to those persons.
In today’s Old Testament reading, David was set on numbering his troops—probably to show arrogantly just how powerful he was. Joab, the commander of David’s army, knew David’s actions were wrong, though, so he challenged the king. Why would David do such a thing and bring guilt on Israel (2 Sam 24:3, 1 Chron 21:3)?
The next words are a bit ominous: “Yet the king’s order prevailed over Joab and the commanders of the army” (2 Sam 24:4). Joab bravely and personally confronted the king, but his words were wasted ones in David’s ears. The king ordered his census anyway—and it led to a plague judgment on his people.
If only he would have listened . . . . and, unless I miss my guess, if only we had always listened when others warned us and redirected us out of loving concern!
PRAYER: “Help me, God, to listen to those You put in my life.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Listen closely to others. Walk carefully today.
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 1-2, John 3
