Learning from Abner's Advancement

Scripture: Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, and Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” Abner became very angry over the words of Ish-Bosheth. He said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Each day I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends by not allowing you to fall into the hand of David. Yet today you are charging me with guilt concerning this woman. May God do so to Abner, and more also, for as the Lord has sworn to David, this I will do for him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” And he could not offer a response to Abner, for fear of him. 2 Samuel 3:7-11

Observation: Abner has all the military power of those supporting Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, as king. Yet as Abner grows stronger, Ish-Bosheth questions him about taking Saul's concubine Rizpah as his wife, and Abner's reaction is to defect to David. Abner chose to support Ish-Bosheth for reasons very unclear - he was at David's inauguration and knew he was always the anointed success to Saul - and the reason he then flips is equally weak.

This, again, was the state of "faith" in this time of Israel. Abner - one of the great leaders if Israel - flips back and forth in a political power struggle over issues as trivial as a question about his wife, despite the fact he was a person witness of prophets declaring the word of God in pronouncing David as the next king. Abner doesn't care what God says ... he cares about what will advance him. When backing Ish-Bosheth gives him power, authority, and a wife, he does it. When Ish-Bosheth questions those rewards, he immediately seeks power and advancement with David (and gets it temporarily, until he is killed by Joab).

Application: It is interesting to see the nature of all mankind when it comes to God summarized by this concept ... even when they directly know the will of God, they pursue actions to advance themselves completely independent from - and often in conflict with - that will of God.

Do I do that? I am sure I do. I am sure there are times I know what God wants, and I know what I want, and I pursue my desires without even considering God's will. At best, my goals and God's goals are neutral, but I'm sure they are sometimes in conflict, and I select my goals ahead of God's.

I am struggling with that now, as I try to understand what God would have me do for some people at work in my care. There are actions necessitated by the standards of performance and policy, and there are potential actions founded in love and mercy. I am trying to do both. I am hoping I am finding a way to place the mercy component of my actions first. However, I am struggling with this and seeking God's guidance. At least I am comforted by the idea that this is front and center in my mind, and I am not proceeding without consideration for God's will.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for your daily guidance here at work. Do not let me be angry in any situation. Instead, help me to show compassion on those who are struggling, mixed with guidance and accountability in a manner that aids them in progressing in life. Amen.