Impressed with Joab

Scripture verses that caught my attention today: 2 Samuel 10: 11-12 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be strong, and let us be courageous for the sake of our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

Observation: Joab, in the heat of battle and with no time to waste, takes stock of the situation, considers his partners in the struggle, develops a plan and puts it into action within the span of just two short verses. And regardless of what happens, he entrusts the efforts to the Lord.

Application: These two verses are quickly finding space among my short list of favorites. I’m truly impressed with Joab’s ability to size up the difficult situation and earnestly work toward a solution that is based not on saving himself, but on saving the whole movement. He is simultaneously looking at the big picture (for the sake of our people and the cities of our God) and the REALLY big picture (through it all, let the Lord do what seems good to him).

This is refreshingly inspiring leadership. It doesn’t resort to ‘woe is me,’ and yet also successfully avoids the kind of bravado from which many a fool is made.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the example of Joab in this passage. Help us all to have such clarity of direction. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(readings today included: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 20, and Matthew 22)