[One-Verse Meditation]

2 Samuel 2:19 (NASB)

“Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner.”

(Meditation)

The camp of Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, and the camp of David meet on the battlefield, and a fierce battle breaks out. As David’s side gains the upper hand, they pursue Abner, the commander of Ish-bosheth’s army, along with his men. One figure stands out in particular—Asahel, the brother of Joab, commander of David’s army. Using his speed, he closes in right behind Abner. Scripture describes the scene like this:

“Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner.”

As a soldier, Asahel is admirable. With a single-minded resolve to take down the enemy commander, he presses forward without wavering for a moment. And yet, something feels strange here. The way the story unfolds does not seem to present Asahel’s loyalty and zeal as wholly commendable. Rather, it seems to speak of the danger of zeal that has lost discernment. We cannot know for certain whether Asahel was driven by the desire to win honor in battle or by a wish to avenge David’s wrongs. But in the end, his zeal became a sword turned toward his own brothers.

This scene arrests our thoughts. We often think that admirable faith is the kind that never gives up, pushes forward to the end, and never sways to the right or to the left. But where is the center of such expressions of faith? All of them can end up centered on me. That is what it looks like when I become the master of my own faith. And once I begin to lead my own faith, its “righteousness” also becomes mine. Then, with that “righteousness,” I begin to judge and condemn those around me.

The church is a community that boasts not in our righteousness, but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is a community that lives not by our zeal, but by the zeal of God. Therefore, our faith is a gift. It is grace given by Christ Jesus, the author of our faith. Those who live by this grace are the holy people of God—the saints—you and I.

(Prayer)

Lord, help me examine my zeal, and keep it from becoming zeal without Jesus. Let Christ Jesus alone be my boast, and make my steps beautiful. Amen.
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(Daily Meditation)

• 2 Samuel 2:12–29