Community & Discipleship

True Strength and Honor (2 Sam2:12-3:5)

2012.03.18Rev. Eddie Byun

True strength is not measured by muscle or by winning against others. It is shown in what we fight for, what we focus on, and whether we can forgive, and it brings true honor from God when our trust rests in what He has done through Jesus Christ.

True strength is seen in what you fight for (12-17)

Two armies meet at the pool of Gibeon, and instead of a full battle they choose twelve young men to fight, and all twelve die. Fighting was never meant to show who is stronger. God gives strength so that we may defend the weak and the oppressed, as Proverbs 31:9 reminds us. We do not fight for our own rights but for the rights of others. Power is given to protect others, not to overpower them. When we gave flowers of grace to the women in the red light district, we saw that our strength is meant for the vulnerable.

True strength is seen in what you focus on (18-23)

Asahel, one of David's nephews, is fast and fixed on pursuing Abner. Abner warns him again and again to turn aside, but Asahel refuses, driven by a desire for revenge. Revenge keeps our focus on our hurt and pain rather than on God, who will one day right all wrongs. What you focus on reveals the driving force of your life, whether it is comfort, money, or even family. Our focus must remain on Christ and His kingdom first and always, because nothing is greater than to know Jesus.

True strength is seen in whether you can forgive (24-28)

Abner calls out to Joab, asking how long the sword will devour and warning that the end will be bitter. Joab stops the pursuit when he blows the trumpet, a call for peace. Romans 12:18 tells us to live peaceably with all, as far as it depends on us. True strength is not found in a fist that holds on to rights and revenge but in letting go and forgiving. I once had to forgive a missionary friend who wronged a sister in my church, and I learned that forgiveness is not a one-time event but something that only God's power makes possible.

True strength results in true honor from God (29-3:5)

After the battle, David's house grows stronger while Saul's house grows weaker, and the honor of the kingdom goes to David rather than to Saul's family. The sons listed in verses 2-5 show God's favor and strength carried on to future generations. True strength and honor come from the Lord, not from our own ability, but from faith that trusts in what God has done through His Son, Jesus Christ. Our small faith in our great God leads us into a kingdom that grows like a mustard seed into the biggest tree.

Apply to Life

  • Let us examine what we are fighting for and use our strength to defend the weak and the oppressed.
  • Let us check where our focus lies and keep Christ and His kingdom first in our lives.
  • Let us let go of our hurt and revenge, forgive those who have wronged us, and trust God as the judge.
  • Let us rely on what God has done through Jesus Christ rather than on our own ability and achievements.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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