the Third Week after Easter
Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
1 Chronicles 19:13
‘Let us behave ourselves valiantly’
Read Psalms 92:1-15
The Ammonites had come against Israel with a very great army. Even to Joab, a man of great military skill and experience, things looked bad. But he encouraged himself and his brother, Abishai, with these words: ‘Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight’ (1 Chronicles 19:13). In this time of great difficulty and danger, Joab set before us an example of persevering faithfulness and reverent submission which should be followed by all who seek the glory of God and serve the interest of his kingdom in this world.
Our lives should be characterized by a persevering faithfulness to our God and to the work he has committed to our hands. I say to you, ‘Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the church of our God.’ The Lord has entrusted us with the gospel of his grace. He has given us the means and the opportunity to proclaim the gospel to this generation, and he has commanded us to do so. This is the point of our responsibility. We do not know what God has decreed, but we do know what he has commanded, and what he has commanded we must do. ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.'
And we must serve the Lord our God with a reverent submission. ‘Let the Lord do that which is good in his sight.’ Joab was saying to Abishai, ‘If God saves us, we shall be saved. If we perish, we shall perish. That is up to him. But we will serve him valiantly.’ This is our work. We must preach the gospel to all men, as God gives us opportunity. If he is pleased to save men, we shall rejoice and preach the gospel. If God is pleased to harden men, we shall still rejoice and preach the gospel. He is God. We are his servants. Let him do with us what he will. ‘Let the Lord do that which is good in his sight.'
