A guest post from the Rev. Garth Hunt.
Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
Psalm 124:6-7 ESV
There is a tragic story of broken trust and relationship failure recorded in 2 Samuel 3 that I’d like us to examine this month. It takes place during the turbulent days of transition between the reign of Saul and that of David. Saul is dead, but Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, has established Saul’s son as king over Israel. David reigns as king over Judah at Hebron. There are some skirmishes, and one of the casualties of war is a man named Asahel, the brother of Joab, the commander of David’s military forces. So there is deep enmity between these two mighty Jewish warriors, Abner and Joab.
Abner, despite his loyalty to the house of Saul, recognizes that the hand of God is upon David and that it is obviously God’s intent to make David the king over the reunited nation. With the endorsement of the elders, Abner sets off to meet with David in peace and tell him the good news. After a gracious banquet held for him and his men at which he delivered his message to David, Abner sets out for home, fully intent on seeking to unify the nation once again under David’s monarchy. Joab, David’s commander-in-chief, is notably absent from the festivities.
When he returns and hears the news of Abner’s visit to David, Joab is furious and, blinded by his hatred and distrust of Abner, proceeds to berate his king in the most impertinent manner:-
Joab went straight to the king: “What’s this you’ve done? Abner shows up, and you let him walk away scot-free? You know Abner son of Ner better than that. This was no friendly visit. He was here to spy on you, figure out your comings and goings, find out what you’re up to.” 2 Samuel 3: 24-25 MSG
Note the power of the offense that Joab has taken up on behalf of first his slain brother, and now on behalf of his seemingly gullible and naïve monarch. “How could you be so stupid?? Can’t you see what he’s up to? You can’t trust anything he says!” His vision is completely clouded to the reality of the situation by his own suspicion and distrust. A loyal and dedicated warrior, who previously was willing to lay down his very life for his king, has become belligerent, disrespectful, and totally blind to God’s plan for peace and reconciliation. Taking matters into his own hands and stepping way out of his sphere of responsibility, Joab murders Abner, much to David’s utter dismay, and brings great dishonour to himself and his family. Ultimately, the whole sordid series of events ends in his demise.
So, as Anglicans who pray and desire to see God’s will accomplished in our churches, what does this story have to teach us? What are the snares that we must avoid?
From time to time, we may be asked to pray for others who are going through some very heinous situations. Perhaps there is a form of abuse involved; verbal, physical or sexual. There may also be cases of obvious manipulation and control where the person for whom we are praying is trapped in an ungodly relational web that is suffocating the very spiritual and emotional life out of them. Similarly, we are urged to pray for our rector and other parish and diocesan leaders and we may encounter alarming reports of what we consider to be grossly unjust or mean-spirited criticism of them. Over the past decade, many of us have watched our bishops and priests caricatured and publically dishonoured by those who once called them brothers and friends.
In circumstances like these, there is such a snare awaiting us – the great temptation to take up an offense on behalf of the injured parties. I well remember fervently praying for a woman and her four children who frequently had to flee their home and take refuge with us because of an abusive and alcoholic husband/father. Everything in me wanted to take a good sized two-by-four to the back of his head! Despite his claims of repentance and willingness to receive treatment, I was certain that he could not be trusted and would soon prove my suspicions to be accurate. Had God performed a massive miracle of supernatural transformation in this man, I’m not sure that I would have believed it. Like Joab, I was blinded by the offense that I had allowed to consume me. Praying a blessing for the man was virtually impossible.
Can you see that there must not be any room in our prayer life, either individually or corporately, for this kind of deception? No matter how justified it may seem, we will miss the purposes of God if we are not ruthless in staying free from the snare of being offended. Our prayers will be hindered and our vision badly obscured.
The writer of Hebrews saw the potential danger clearly:-
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Hebrews 12:14-15 ESV
The image of a “root” is so vivid, working its way inexorably down, down into the deepest soil of our souls, and, if it’s a “root of bitterness”, it will cause untold trouble and many others will be “defiled” by it, sucked into the deception of false justice. Joab was certain that he was doing that which was in David’s best interests (even if the king couldn’t see it!) and that he was helping out God’s purposes, whereas neither could have been further from the truth!
Dear friends in Christ, as we pray for our leaders and difficult situations in our families or parishes, may I encourage us all to examine ourselves frequently by asking God the Holy Spirit to turn on His brilliant light; “Father, have I allowed any root of bitterness to set in? Have I taken up an offense on behalf of myself or others? Am I carrying any desires for revenge or ungodly vindication that are blinding me to the true purposes of God? Show me, even if it hurts!” I am utterly convinced that the Lord will hear such prayers, and illuminate by the Holy Spirit any areas that require our repentance and His healing. Be relentless in your pursuit of holiness in this! Surely then we can extol with the psalmist; “We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!”
Father, in Jesus’ Name, I renounce the bitterness surrounding the offenses that I have taken up on behalf of others. I recognize that, if I hold on to these any longer, others in my church family will be defiled by them. Wash me clean, dear Lord, and grant that I may have greater discernment in the future when such “roots” seek to entangle me once again. Thank You for Your amazing forgiveness!
Garth V. Hunt
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