“Consistent and regular spiritual practices are key to developing a strong relationship with God… Through repetition and routine, spiritual practices help us cultivate a heart that is open and attentive to the voice of God.”
- Dallas Willard
What is your greatest pet-peeve? One of mine is petty and perhaps a little niche: I abhor watching people who are truly bad at basketball make the painful attempt to throw a sphere at a hoop. I understand that nobody is good at everything, and I am aware that some of you would feel annoyed if you had to watch me do something I do poorly, like dance or order food at a Mexican restaurant. The aspect about shooting hoops with a non-basketballer that is most like nails on a chalkboard for me is the frustrated phrase, “I’m really bad at this.” It doesn’t drive me crazy because I am a hopeless optimist (believe me, that’s not the issue). This statement makes my ears bleed because it should not be a surprise to anyone that has not touched a basketball since High School P.E. that they are not Michael Jordan. You have not participated in this sport, nor have you practiced the skills that should make you expect to succeed. In our berserk text this week we see a number of moving pieces: David’s kindness, David’s men humiliated in what should be seen as an act of war, David’s men sent to the battlefield, Mercenaries sent to fight David’s men, etc. In the midst of a wildly chaotic scene we see David’s nephew and war commander, Joab, make a clear directive to his troops: “Be strong and trust the Lord to do what He will.” What a call!
Much like being a refined 3-point marksman without practice, this rally cry from Joab is impossible without a couple ingredients. First, we have no choice but to participate in what God has called His people to. Are you struggling to trust God to show up when you need Him most? Maybe He is waiting for you trust Him enough to obey before He gives you the next clear direction. Second, we are no more born-again mature, than we are physically born with the wisdom of an adult; we need to practice what God tells us to. This means we are called to trust Him enough to obey again and again. He has graciously gifted us with the opportunity to find our strength in Him over and over!
Read 2 Samuel 10 and Ephesians 6:10
1.When you read Joab and Paul saying “Be strong” in the Lord, what comes to your mind/heart? What does finding strength in the Lord practically look like for you? Do you feel yourself repeatedly participating in this act?
2. Why do you think God has called His people to strengthen ourselves “in Him?” Why doesn’t He call us to strengthen ourselves without Him, or in our own person?
3. How can you keep yourself from seeing this as an act to gain His favor and acceptance? What keeps you from seeing this process (practicing serving others, praying, reading Scripture, fasting, etc.) as a pathway for God to give you gracious gifts? How are you going to strenthen yourself in the Lord, participate with Him and practice what He calls you to this week?