DAILY SHOWER January 18, 2023 Devotion and Declarations
Prayer before the Word:
_ O God, I thank You for yet another day. I magnify Your name because You are my God and all I have. Please, use me according to Your will and prosper me in Jesus name, Amen_
TODAY’S TOPIC: Don't be afraid to initiate peace with the brethren
Text: 2 Samuel 2:22-31 (NIV):
"2:22. Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?"
2:23. But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.
2:24. But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon.
2:25. Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill.
2:26. Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?"
2:27. Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued the pursuit of their brothers until morning."
2:28. So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore.
2:29. All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the whole Bithron and came to Mahanaim.
2:30. Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner and assembled all his men. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David's men were found missing.
2:31. But David's men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner."
SHOWER (Reflection):
We must stop everything that causes internal wrangling among the brethren. These include kingship or leadership positions. These could lead to misunderstanding, unnecessary bickering and others. The Israelites are that you end the issue early enough. In today's teaching, there was war between the Houses of isreal. But at a stage, after up to 360 were killed at supposedly enemies of David. Our attention is however, on verse 26 where Abner called on Joab to ceasefire. As children of God, we should know when to call ourselves together and declare an end to our feud. Don't wait for your elder to do it if God gave you the grace to say it. Don't be afraid to initiate peace. Let's love leads among us in Jesus name, Amen.
PRAYER/DECLARATIONS
1. O God, give me the grace to initiate and accept peaceful resolutions of issues with my brethren so that God will continue to be praised forever ...in Jesus name, Amen.
2. O you kingdom of darkness that is attacking my glory, i command you to submit your power now, and die in Jesus name, Amen!
3. O God arise by Your power and uplift me by Your power...in Jesus name, amen.