I Will Be Brave, Not Looking For My Glory And Willing To Die With Honor

DECEMBER 29, 2009 - JANUARY 4, 2010

Theme: “I Will Be Brave, Not Looking For My Glory And Willing To Die With Honor” 2 Samuel 23: 24a & 39a Asahel and Uriah were counted among David’s mighty and brave men. Asahel was Joab’s brother, the man in charge of David’s army. These two brothers were sons of Zeruiah, one of David’s sisters; therefore, they were nephews of the one they bravely served. As for Asahel, he was not a wise man; his own foolishness led him to die confronting and provoking Saul’s army on his own. Uriah, on the other hand, was brave and a man of great honor who also died young. But this valiant man died due to David’s criminal passion, who allowed Satan to touch his heart. David betrayed Uriah causing his death at the battlefront. We can deduce from these two cases that each one lives and chooses how his end will be, how he will die. Let us seek to die in honor and justice. Almost always, men die according to their deeds, and that is why there are tragic deaths that turn into sorrow for many. There are people like Asahel, who think that the things they fight for in life are just and they are not. They fight in vain and die in vain. It is better not to lose our mind and to continue going forward without falling in madness, because there are things that one must live, there are things that must happen. Sometimes life seems cruel, but it is fair. God has perfect control and knowledge of everything that happens to us under the sun. 2 Samuel 2: 18-23 Asahel was a very swift, skillful warrior; he was quick. Perhaps he had too much confidence on the agility he possessed. That capacity and dexterity was for the war and not for defying his enemies. One should never trust or rest on the gift that God gives us, but in the God, who gives it to us. Asahel defied Abner, the captain of the army of Saul, enemy of David, but who was also an expert in war. As we know, David had a terrific group of brave men from the tribe of Judah. But Asahel wanted to do justice all by himself; he challenged Abner alone. In reality, the courageous are the ones who win. But we should never wish misfortune for anyone; that is not for us to decide. Asahel died foolishly because he let himself be influenced negatively by his brother Joab and not by David. Abner was a man experienced in war. Asahel wanted to stand out and went alone to seek Abner to kill him. Asahel, in his boldness, wanted Abner as a trophy to bring to David, but that was not for him to do. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves; each occurrence has its day. Asahel believed that he was going to conquer what was not for him to conquer because that was up to God. So much imprudence led Asahel to his death! Stubbornness is a misfortune. Although Asahel was mighty and brave, his stubbornness brought him so much misfortune that moved Abner’s spear against him. Let’s not allow a spear to move against us because of our stubbornness. Sometimes, even if it does not appear to be like that, it is better to lose. Because when we persist in obtaining something that does not belong to us, we will regret it one day. The best thing is to maintain unity and stop fighting so much. Sometimes, pride and the desire to obtain is the big problem. There was no need for Asahel to give David a trophy. He was a brave man and David knew it. But what happens is that when we believe that we no longer walk on earth but we are floating in fantasies, then we stumble. Let us live the day and fight for tomorrow without adding our own cause to what belongs to God. 2 Samuel 11:6 Uriah, the other mighty and brave warrior, died under David’s orders; he was a man of great honor. They were in the middle of a war, and this man was not only courageous but righteous. Not even the drunkenness to which he was induced, destroyed Uriah’s passion and love for his people. Satan had taken advantage of David’s heart so that he would betray Uriah, who was willing to die for his king’s honor due to his devotion and love. Actually, he died by his king’s hands. The devil had already planned clearly against Uriah. David knew that Joab was willing to spill innocent blood, and Joab knew what was going on. David sent Uriah with a letter addressed to Joab so that he would put him in the thick of the battle and die. So, Uriah carried his death sentence in his own hands. He carried that letter with his own life. In occasions, we carry the sentence of the evilness of others, but if that is the process and we die, then let it be. That man was great because he died at the hands of his enemies! In David’s wars none of his mighty and brave men were supposed to die, but sin had arrived. The courage of a brave man was abused. Why should we be so careful? Let God defend us! David did not involve only himself in this shameful death, but also many others. He gave the order to kill one man, but the men from the group that fought alongside Uriah also died. These principles of honor and righteousness that existed in these mighty and brave men have to exist also in our lives. Joab knew what he had in his hands, and so did David. Joab was pleased to see Uriah fall. He felt no sorrow for this. Uriah was a courageous man, and the pay for his honesty and bravery was death; that did not frighten him and he had no desire to desert. That is to be courageous. A courageous person does not betray, but gives him or herself. Would we be capable of receiving each arrow against us like Uriah did? The courageous are those who live until the last day in honesty, purity, and sanctity, even while living in the midst of danger. AMEN.