Are we counting the cost?

A quote I came across this week as a sermon snippet speaks volumes along the lines of what God has placed on my heart to encourage us this week: Satan is not just interested in messing up your life. He wants to destroy you. (Author Unknown)


We all, each one of us, are born with a sin-nature. As a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you know that, you accept that, and you really surrender on a daily basis to not walk in that sin nature. We strive to kill our flesh and poor choices to allow Christ IN us to rise up and cause a right choice to be made.

I was reading in 2 Samuel this week when something really struck me with David's people being told in vs. 5b of 18 "For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom". Absalom was his son that was evil trying to take David's kingdom from him and appoint himself as king. David was aware of this and had him returned to the land while keeping his distance from him. Absalom was still his son, he STILL loved Absalom, and gave instructions for them to deal gently with Absalom.

Joab, Abishai, Ittai as well as all the troops, had been given the order from King David to deal GENTLY with Absalom. Joab confronts and even taunts one of David's men that saw Absalom dangling from a tree with "but YOU didn't kill him?". This very man in verse 12 so made me want to stand up and cheer him on as I read "I wouldn't do it for a thousand pieces of silver, the man replied. We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake, please don't harm young Absalom.' And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son-and the king would certainly find out who did it-you yourself would be the first to abandon me."

We do not know who this man is, his name isn't important but his character is! Way to go!!! No amount of money, not even a thousand pieces of silver would warrant going against the king, to betray King David. The next words are so crystal clear, no reason to waver, or wonder what he meant when he spoke to Joab. YOU YOURSELF WOULD BE THE FIRST TO ABANDON ME!

We learn that Joab himself went and killed the king's son, Absalom. What a coward of a man with his own agenda. He sent a messenger, for crying out loud, why didn't Joab go and tell David himself!!! The messenger was sent to tell David of his son's death. Do you see that Joab manipulated the situation? But what I really want is to back up to this man that stayed true to what he knew was the heart of the king.

Sisters, we know by being in the Word of God, by praying, listening to godly preachers and teachers, but especially by being in relationship with Christ Jesus, we know the heart of our King. So the next time you and I are tempted to allow our path to become messy, I ask that we, you and I, to stop and count the cost. Are we really willing to go against the Heart of God? No one ELSE is to blame when we do, but our self. We have the choice to make, what choice will it be? We can die to our sin nature and live for Christ if we will only choose to do so. When we don't choose to do so, remember that the enemy will make it known, he will be the first to abandon us because we fed right into the palm of his hand. Humans that have the nature of a Joab are stumbling blocks, they manipulate and deceive. BUT...we can overcome if we will pass the test. There are consequences, have you or I counted the cost?

Our King is mighty, magnificent, and may His name be proclaimed! May we be found crawling, stumbling, walking or even running towards Him, which-ever it may be, just as long as it is a forward movement towards Him.

Father, I thank You that You know just how we think and the actions or direction we might choose. You know us so well, and I love how You have provided us with ways out woven through out Your word. Continue to teach us, mold us and re-direct our steps to bring glory and honor to YOUR NAME. Amen.

**Using random.org for the 100th post giveaway, #3 is the recipient of a give away. Congratulations Melinda! Send me your U.S. Snail mail address....**