The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 12 July 2025 — Abner’s Example Of Building Reconciliation
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TOPIC: Abner’s Example Of Building Reconciliation
READ: 2 Samuel 2:25-32 (NKJV)
- Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill.
- Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?”
- And Joab said, “[As] God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.”
- So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore.
- Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim.
- So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.
- But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner’s men, three hundred and sixty men who died.
- Then they took up Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb, which [was in] Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s passage, Abner calls to Joab for reconciliation after the loss of many generals in both camps. He said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?” This statement made Joab to instruct his warriors to stop pursuing Abner’s army. The two commanders thereafter, returned to their bases. David also showed true reconciliation and love for those who hated him. He had learnt to leave vengeance for God, and would not personally strike those appointed by God over His people, not even in his bid to become king. Abner handed the kingdom over to David, but died in the hands of the son of Zeruiah, for his previous sin against them.
Friend, if you want reconciliation with God, you have to be reconciled with other people. You cannot live in harmony with your heavenly Father unless you are living in harmony with your fellow human beings. What rift is there between you and your brothers and sisters, that you think cannot be resolved? God wants you to settle it today; please, bury the hatchets. Be bold enough to take the step like Abner and make the first move. It takes humility to initiate reconciliation. It is a good price to pay. Restoring a cracked relationship is like mending a broken wall. This requires purposeful and intentional actions. To have genuine reconciliation, the parties involved must admit their faults and be ready to repair all damages. That is exactly what you should do as a child of God. God has set the example for us in Jesus Christ, who came as our Reconciler. You can also follow in His steps today.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to reconcile with You and with all who offend me, Amen!
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025
TOPIC: ABNER’S EXAMPLE OF BUILDING RECONCILIATION
- Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this new day, the one hundred and ninety-third day in the year 2025 in good health, sound mind and in joy.
- Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this new month,but they couldn’t.
- Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
- Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a good and successful end.
- Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and let no sin reign over my life this year, in Jesus’ name.
- Help me Lord, to show true reconciliation and love to those who hate me, in Jesus’ name.
- Father Lord, I leave all vengeance for You, please fight my battles for me, in Jesus’ name.
- Holy Spirit, help me to live in harmony with people around me, that I may enjoy harmony with God, in Jesus’ name.
- I receive grace to follow in the steps of Christ Jesus, in Jesus’ name.
- Holy Spirit, help me to have a deep, flourishing and an unbroken relationship with God, in Jesus name
- LORD, help me to get my life right this year, and let Your perfect will be enforced on me, in Jesus’ name
- LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
- Heavenly Father, let Your peace continue to reign in every part of this country,
- Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
- This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
- Personal and family prayer requests.
- Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and God bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
- Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
