Self-Centeredness

What’s In It For Me?

From David’s early life, it’s easy to see why he became so beloved. His respect for God’s plan and timing, his patience, his loyalty, his desire for peace, his goal of unity in the kingdom of Israel. Quite a stark difference from Saul’s near-mad behaviour, likely due to the tormenting spirit sent by God. I personally imagine this spirit to be less of a malevolent being causing mischief in Saul’s mind and more of a withdrawing of the grace of God that had previously protected Saul from his natural tendencies. But either way these two kings ran things quite differently. And when we look at the wider behaviour throughout the kingdom we can see why David stood out above the pack (and why he loved Jonathan so much — his heart was also for the Lord and for unity in Israel).

Ishbosheth (Saul’s son) accuses Abner (Saul’s general) of having an affair with his wife. While Abner never actually denies it (at least according to what’s recorded) he does get quite upset with the accusation and switches to David’s side. Abner offers to use his political connections to bring the other tribes to the unification table. David is fine with this.

BUT Joab (David’s general) does like this and executes a plot to kill Abner. Upon learning of Abner’s death David mourns and curses Joab and his brother for what they’ve done. David is NOT fine with this.

THEN a pair of brothers (Recab and Baanah, Ishbosheth’s captains) plot to kill Ishbosheth. They do so successfully and bring his head to David in another attempt to curry favour. They are executed for this act. David is NOT fine with this.

David is trying to bring unity, but everyone else is just looking out for #1. Motivated by personal sleight, revenge, or political power. And all of these motivations result in death and destruction!

This is a powerful reminder in our own lives. If we are just chasing things that bring us pleasure rather than seeking the Lord, what we are ACTUALLY chasing is our own destruction. Now, it may not come as quickly as it did for Joab, Abner, Recab, and Baanah, but it will come. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and leave the rest up to Him.

2 Samuel 3:6-4:12 | 111/365

Love in the Trenches

Job is a righteous and prosperous man. He fears God and loves his children. He would offer sacrifices on behalf of his children, in case they had sinned incidentally or accidentally. It was common belief among the worshippers of pagans gods that those deities were capricious and easily offended, so it is not clear if Job is trying to stay on God’s good side, or if he recognizes the need to sacrifice because of the holiness of the one true God.

So the accuser (we should not assume this person is Satan) says that Job is not worshipping God, but rather trying to appease Him. God — being omniscient — already know Job’s heart, but for reasons not revealed to us here He consents to have tragedy befall Job. And it does.

In a matter of minutes everything is taken away from Job, including all of his children. This absolutely devastating turn of events would be enough to push anyone to brink of despair. Surely this would be enough to push Job over the edge. But his reply is as humbling as it is shocking… upon losing everything Job remarks:

“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be made naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!”

I’ve heard the story too many times to count. People love and worship God so long as things are going well for them. They look at the misery and destruction around the world and it phases them not. But when that misery and/or destruction knocks on their door… God must not exist. It’s okay when it happens to others, but when it happens to me it is proof that God cannot be real.

This is the epitome of self-centredness. Like we’ve talked about before, an eternal perspective is key. It won’t make these things easier to bear, but it will help us understand that when calamity befalls us that God is still in charge, and that this life is but a breath. Those among us who have MUCH can all-too-easily find ourselves worshipping a God of good times and convenience. But those among us who have little, find all their hope in God.

Maybe in some cases those of us who are well-off, are poorer than those who have nothing.

Job 1-4 | 019/365