What could have been a peaceful transition of power is ruined by Joab‘sviolence. - P98
Having learned that Saul‘s top-ranking general had come andgone in peace, Joab is furious. He refuses to believe that Abner‘s changeof allegiance is genuine. - P98
He takes matters into his own hands, goes afterAbner, and takes his life. Now, the text is clear that Joab wanted to geteven with Abner to avenge his brother Asahel. - P98
But for all the time hespent with David, it is surprising that Joab did not learn from the manyinstances when David‘s life exemplified the surpassing blessedness ofleaving room for God‘s vengeance. - P98
Joab‘s hatred blinded his judgmentand prevented him from seeing the grave consequences of a momentarysatisfaction. - P98
Rage is a powerful hurdle to us walking in God‘s blessing and a powerful distraction that lures us into our undoing. - P98
Dear Jesus, You are sovereign and just. - P99
Help us to trust in Your perfect timing forjustice and to not take vengeance into our own hands. Instead of repaying evilwith evil, may we repay evil with good. In Your name, amen. - P99
Belgium is home to the European Union‘s headquarters but struggles to maintain unity between its two dominant
people groups: the Flemings, who speak Dutch, and the Walloons,who speak French.
Tensions between these two groups have had both economic and politicalconsequences. Most - P98
Christians are nominally so, but there has been growth in Belgium‘sinternational churches that are filled with both locals and foreigners. In a divided nation,
these churches are modeling what true unity can look like. - P98
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