11 DECEMBER

THE WEAPON OF WISE WORDS

“The woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.”

 Then she said to him,

“Hear the words of your maidservant.”

(2 Samuel 20:17, NKJV)

Joab, the commander of David’s army, had besieged the city of Abel because Sheba, who had caused Israel to rebel against David, had run into it for shelter. As was usual, the army was battering the walls of the city to bring it down. A whole city would have been destroyed and thousands killed over the rebellion of one man.

However, with courage, wisdom and authority, a woman of Abel called and challenged the invincible commander, Joab, speaking of her city as the centre of wisdom and herself as among the peaceable and faithful in Israel and a mother in Israel. 

Joab was caught unawares and put up a spirited defence and promise to depart if the man responsible for the revolt was given up. Not only given to words, this heroine took immediate action and with her usual diplomacy, she explained the situation to the people. True to her words, the head of Sheba was thrown over the wall to Joab. Through her intervention, she gave up the life of the one who was guilty to save the lives of many thousands who were innocent – disaster was averted. Her weapons were wise words and courage, as well as a plan of action.

Let us battle more with prayers and wise words with courage to bring peace to stormy situations. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

ACTION: Choose wisdom and thoughtfulness in your daily life.

PRAYER:  Grant me wisdom, Oh Lord, and the strength to take right actions at the right time.