The setting of these words is quite a remarkable story. David has sent delegates to expresses his sympathy for the death of the former king. Upon their arrival, the advisors around the new King, Hanun, whisper in his ear that the delegates have come to spy and get word back to David. In an act of utter humiliation, half of the representatives beards are shaven off and their clothes are cut off at the hips by the Ammonites. They leave and word gets back to David who sends Joab to battle against the Ammonites. In the meantime, Hanun the king of the Ammonites has enlisted the Syrians to help him against Joab and the mighty man. As Joab and the warriors arrive, they become surrounded in the front and rear. Facing real death, Joab says to his brother Abishai the words above.
So here they are, facing death in the eye, and they see and know that they are living for something bigger than themselves and do not walk away, but get more courageous. How do we do this? How do we see the gospel as so valuable that we are willing to die for it? 3 key things are found in the verse:
1. Be of good courage - What Joab is saying is "Be strong in God". Let what we do today not be based in past experiences in the battle or in our strength but let us rest in God today. Only he can pull this off so all of our focus must be on Him. Where is your strength today? In you or in God?
2. Courageous for our People - Joab calls the men to fight for the good of God's people. He calls them to lift their eyes off of the impossible task before them and the potential slaughter of their lives to the people who are God's people. He calls them to look beyond themselves and fight for others.
3. Love and fight for our Cities - The reality is that the people of God should love their city more than anyone else. Government never will love the city the way the church can and should. If we would take our eyes off of our buildings, budgets and the how many butts we have in the seats, we could go out better into the actual streets where people live. Would you say your church calls your people to be at the building more or in their neighborhood more? I recall Jesus one time saying in Luke 14:21-23
"23 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
For the first time in my life, I learned what loving a city meant when we lived in Duesseldorf. I loved it so much (still do) that I think of it everyday. After 4 years of walking the streets sharing, praying, building relationships I learned to love the city and hope Christ offers. It is what I am beginning to really feel for the cities of Collin County.
I pray we all love our city and are willing to invest and fight for its good even if it costs us our life.
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