Transcription
March 31, 2018
Topic: The Courage to Act
Isamuel 13:6, 7 To sleep with any of the King's wives or concubines was to make a claim to the throne, and it was considered treasonous. Because Ish Bosheth was a weak ruler, Abner was running the country. Thus he may have felt justified sleeping with Saul's concubines. Ish Bosheth, however, saw that Abner's power was becoming too great. Ish Bosheth may have been right to speak out against Abner's behavior, but he didn't have the moral strength to maintain his authority.
Lack of moral backbone became the root of Israel's troubles over the next four centuries. Only four of the next forty kings of Israel were called good.
It takes courage and strength to stand firm in your convictions to confront wrongdoing in the face of opposition. When you believe something is wrong, do not let yourself be talked out of your position. Firmly attack the wrong and uphold the right.
2 Chronicle 23:1 Although it could have cost him his life, this priest did what was right: restoring the temple worship and anointing the new king. There are times when we must correct a wrong or speak out for what is right. When such a situation arises, gather up your courage and act.
Ish Bosheth was a man who took his courage from another man (Abner) rather than from God. When Abner died, Ish Bosheth was left with nothing. In crisis and under pressure, he collapsed in fear. Fear can paralyze us, but faith and trust in God can overcome fear (2 Timothy 1:6-8, Hebrews 13:6). If we trust in God, we will be free to respond boldly to events around us.
Written by Jennifer Johnson
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