Who are you promoting?

This week I've been continuing to think about the character of Joab, the leader of the army of David. 

Last week we considered his faith and courage as he entered into a battle not knowing whether he'd live, die, or become enslaved, yet he continued the path that seemed good to him and what he felt he should do for the benefit of God's people. 

This week we meet Joab having continued that battle and now he's at the point of success. He can see that the battle is almost won, the war is nearly over. He has persevered and is on the brink of conquering the enemy, so, what does he do? 

Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.”

2 Samuel 12:27–28 (ESV)

This amazes me. 

Joab is the one that's done the hard work. He's persevered, he's put his life at risk, yet he doesn't seek the glory for it - he gives It to someone else! 

How many of us can say we would do the same? 

I know when we have toiled hard for an outcome, we often want the recognition, the acclaim, the renown. We want others to know that it was US that did it WE put in the hard work, I did the behind the scenes toil. Yet Joab calls in David. 

He allows, not even that, he invites David to take the credit. He allows David to have the victory - why????

It makes me think that Joab isn't really bothered about himself. 

He must greatly esteem David, maybe he realises that it's better for the unification of Israel that there's one victor (David) rather than two. If the city had been named after Joab, would it of caused a division where some would follow and promote Joab rather than David? Would it echo the songs people sang about Saul and David? 

Joab seems content to be the commander - The one who works hard, who recognises and values his position. Maybe he is content to know the influence he's had instead of taking the glory. Seeing that there is greater benefit in David becoming greater than pushing his own agenda. Whatever the reasoning behind Joan's message, Joab comes across as a loyal, loving leader. He's not made weaker or less by not promoting himself, in fact in my eyes he's made greater, greater in character.

Do you promote others above yourself? 

Do you feel the need to push yourself forward?

Are you in a situation where you could become greater, but others less? 

Or is there a situation where you could elevate others around you?

Joab seems to be content with his role. He knows who he is and who he isn't, that is enough for him. Is it enough for you? 

May the Lord do what seems good to Him....

In 2 Samuel 10, we get a snippet of Joab's faith. By this point he's the head of the successful Israelite army and he and his brother are leading the soldiers into what looks to be a tricky battle. 

So, what do they do? 

Firstly they make some kind of plan and agree to have each other's backs, then Joab encourages his brother by saying this; 

"Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 

2 Samuel 10:12 (ESV)

What a man of faith and courage! 

Joab hasn't been given the promise of a successful outcome, but he knows what he can do, he knows what others around him are capable of and he trusts that God has got a greater plan than he does anyway! It reminds me of the story of Jonathan and his armour bearer. In both of these events the men show extreme courage. 

They have no idea of what the outcome will be, but they have an idea and they ave a go. The scary thing is though, they're having a go could literally mean death! 

I often get scared or worried about doing things because it makes me feel uncomfortable, but the reality is, in most of the situations it hasn't been a case that I could die! Yet Joab and his brother, Jonathan and his armour bearer, the don't see the fact that they could die as much of a problem! They are more intent in protecting the people of God, of doing what the can and seeing what God is going to do in it. 

It could of been that the Israelites were beaten, slaughtered or even brought into captivity as slaves. They did not let what could of happened out them off though. I'm sure they realised the potential consequences, these guys have been in many wars, yet the go ahead, they know God has a great plan even if they don't. They trust that the little they can do will bring about in some way the overarching plan of God. 

Doesn't that faith stir you? 

What battles are you facing? Are you faithfully marching on? Even if you only have half an idea of what might work. Because, do you know what? - God has got it anyway! 

Even when we don't have a clue, even when things seem to outweigh or overwhelm us, even when we aren't sure if we are winning or losing, God has a plan. So do you have the courage like Joab to say, "may the Lord do what seems good to him."? 

It may or may not be the outcome you want, but rest assured it'll be the outcome God wants, so we can be of good courage for ourselves and for the people of God.

Garrison your victory

Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 

2 Samuel 8:14 (ESV)

I read this and wondered, why does this section repeat the fact that David put garrisons in Edom? If something is said more than once, i figure it must be Important. Firstly I wondered what a garrison was, in case, like me you weren't sure either, Garrisons are groups of soldiers stationed in an area, to guard and protect it. 

So, basically what has happened is David and his army have overcome the area of Edom, and to ensure the sustained victory over the area, there are now groups of soldiers assigned to guard the it. 

This caused me to consider, when I have a victory in my life, do I protect that achievement? Do I protect the ground that I have overcome? Do I seek to protect the progress I made? Do you?

David was a mighty king, a conqueror and a man of God, he knew that some areas of his victory needed to be protected. He understood that if he didn't protect the ground he'd taken, the enemy could swoop in again and take the ground and maybe even take more ground. David wanted to ensure that his victory was secure. Do you do the same? 

Life has ups and downs, times where we fail and when we achieve. Do you make a point of securing your victory? 

Do you remember the last time you overcame something? When you were proud of something you achieved? 

I find sometimes that when one area of my life is going well, something usually crops up somewhere else that can knock me back. It can cause me to lose sight of the good things and make me focus on the knock. 

It can take a lot of strength to 'garrison' the success. We need to remember that although the enemy exists, the ground is ours. 

We can protect ourselves. It could be by written down answered prayers. I've started listing things I'm praying for and then I can look back and see what God has done, I'm looking forward to seeing what God has answered. He's already answered some and I am glad we have asked for prayer on those things because it's a reminder that although other areas are difficult, the success is garrisoned. We have taken ground and the enemy is not welcome to crawl back in. We can claim God's movement in our lives, recall what he has done in us and for us. It's good to have a record of these things because it's so easy to be blinded by what isn't done. What area of your life do you need to garrison? Maybe you need to tell a trusted friend about a success so they can remind you, maybe it's a journal or post-it's of God's goodness.

Like David did, don't forget to garrison your victory! 

Do you inquire of the Lord?

2 Samuel 5:17–25 (ESV): David Defeats the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 

22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer

David had just become king of all Israel, and now he was in charge and had the Philistines attacking. What does David do first? He doesn't assemble a committee or draw up a plan, but he prays. 

What do you do when you know a difficult situation is coming? 

It is so easy to consult our own strengths, our own mind and our friends, family and colleagues, but I love this example of David as it challenges me. When things are coming up that look hard, he consulted God first. He didn't rely on anything or anyone else. He allowed God to make the plan and he put it into action. 

David doesn't then rely on the same strategy the second time the same situation occurs, instead, he consults God again. It's so easy for us to think, 'well this worked last time' and just get on with whatever problem it is we are facing. Yet, God uses a different strategy with David, even though he faces the same enemy. I admire David's reliance, this David who is the king of a nation doesn't rely on his reputation, authority or knowledge, but defers to God both times. 

David has probably learned that when he relies on God, situations work out, I mean after all David started as a shepherd, was ostracised and hunted down yet he survived. David knew God keeps his promises, he'd seen God's faithfulness in action. I know I have seen God's faithfulness in my life too, yet I forget to rely on that in my everyday life. 

What about you? Do you ask God first or just get on with things? I wonder if we are missing out on some success or peace when we do things our own way. David asked of God, did what He said and experienced success. I wonder if sometimes there's a better way than our own ideas?