Choose God’s Will

So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel. - 2 Samuel 2:30

When Joab and David’s men returned from the battle with Abner, they counted all the people and 20 men were missing, 19 men and Asahel. On the other side, 360 of Abner’s men died in the conflict. It is hard to believe David only lost 20 men in this battle, while Abner lost 360 men.

It is important to recognize; this was not about who were better fighters but Who was fighting for them. We have to go back and look at the will of God. Only He could give victory in this battle within the nation of Israel. He was the one who defeated the other side, or actually, Abner defeated himself, when he chose to rebel against the will of God.

If we look back at the nation of Israel, when they asked for a king, God gave them Saul, but he rebelled against God. When Saul proved to be a man after his own desires, God removed His spirit from Saul and anointed David as king of Israel.

Clearly, God intended for David to be on the throne following Saul. However, Abner chose to also rebel against God, just like his king, Saul, and he put Saul’s son on the throne. He did this against the will of God, so God was not going to give him victory.

We can all learn from Saul and Abner. When we choose to rebel against the will of God, to pursue our own desires, we will fail. God will win.

The sin of the world is not that it does not do the will of God but that it does not choose the will of God.
~Arthur C. Custance~

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