2 Samuel 10:12 “May the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
Observation: Joab, leader of David’s army, was preparing to fight both the Ammonites and the Arameans. He had prepared and strategized as best he could, then he made this statement, “and may the Lord do what is good in His sight” revealing Joab’s good heart and wisdom.
Application: This was a man who understood that God is in control of life. God is sovereign, not Joab, and certainly not me. I wonder how much of this wisdom and trust in God came from hanging around David? Twice before (see 1 Sam. 24, 26), David’s men of valor had urged David to strike Saul, once while Saul was hiding in a cave. Later, as Saul lay sleeping with his garrison, David had another opportunity to take Saul’s life. His men had encouraged him to do so, yet David had such respect for authority that he would not touch the king even though Samuel had already anointed David as king. Surely it was from these kinds of examples that Joab had learned to put his absolute trust in God when he was in his own tight spot.
There is great power in good mentoring, in effective discipleship.
I smile inwardly as I remember those who have had significant influence in my life: a pastor who was continually in the Word and who exuded peace and confidence in God as a result. A friend who was quick to praise and worship God in even the most difficult circumstances, convinced that the enemy was slow to attack her because he knew it would result in her singing praise to the Lord. The list is long of saints God has brought into my life to make me better; this is what I suspect was behind Joab’s being able to say, “May the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for the teachers, the mentors, and the examples You have brought into my life who have helped me to grow in the faith. I pray, Lord, that my life will testify of You to others—that someone, someday would be like a Joab to me, reflecting deep trust in You because of what he or she has seen of You in me.