17/08/2013 - DUE TO NOT HEEDING GOD’S VOICE

• 
• 
• 
• 

Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

II Samuel 3:1

In biblical times when King Saul died Abner, the commander of the army, marched against God’s plan, for he did not want to hear the divine voice. The same has happened in our days: many people believe that the ministry is the inheritance of their children or of whom they deem pleasant and as a result they deviate from the path. Samuel had anointed David, and Saul himself knew that he would be his successor. However, Abner’s stubbornness caused many to lose their lives. It’s sad when someone does not agree with the Lord’s decision!

There are people who pay a bitter price for the pleasure of calling themselves representatives of God. No one should postulate a position that was not given to him by the Most High; after all, the Father is omniscient, so He knows why He chooses certain people to take care of His interests! Whoever rises against the decision of Heaven suffers a lot. On the Great Day, what will they say to the King?

The work belongs to the Lord’s, so He alone has the power to put someone in His service or take him out of it. Anything that involves lies or tricky manipulation has the devil’s hand in it and whatever damages arise from it is the fault of those who caused them. It is better for someone to pursue a humble profession than being a king sitting on the throne to which he is not entitled. Those who dare to do otherwise will give account of the scandals that they caused directly or indirectly.

Initially,  twenty-four young men – twelve soldiers from Abner’s army and twelve from Joab’s – died at war due to Abner’s insane proposal, according to which only 12 men on each side should fight. Then nineteen of David’s men were killed and 360 from the house of Saul, besides Asahel, who was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle (II Samuel 2). The war went on for a long time, and other lives were lost. However, if the divine will had been respected, none of those people would have died.

As for you who fear the Most High, do not let anyone provoke you because bullies do not have the fear of the Lord. What they want is simply to do their own will. Always obey the divine decisions and in doing so you will not hear from God’s mouth, on the last day, a sentence of eternal condemnation. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul (Mark 8:36)? Even if the enemy offers you the whole world, do not sell yourself.

In the end God’s will prevailed and Abner did not have a long life, and neither will those who indulge in errors. A bad beginning makes a bad ending. Only those who please God will enter the place the Lord has appointed. Many will get there without having done everything they were supposed to; however, those who stood in their way will give account of that.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares