The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 July 2025 — Beware Of Hidden Enemies
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TOPIC: Beware Of Hidden Enemies
READ: 2 Samuel 3:27-39 (NKJV)
- Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.
- Afterward, when David heard [it,] he said, “My kingdom and I [are] guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
- “Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”
- So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
- Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.” And King David followed the coffin.
- So they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.
- And the king sang [a lament] over Abner and said: “Should Abner die as a fool dies?
- Your hands were not bound Nor your feet put into fetters; As a man falls before wicked men, [so] you fell.” Then all the people wept over him again.
- And when all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!”
- Now all the people took note [of it,] and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people.
- For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s [intent] to kill Abner the son of Ner.
- Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?
- “And I [am] weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, [are] too harsh for me. The LORD shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.”
THE MESSAGE:
Life demands caution and in this regard, today’s passage makes us see clearly the hidden, dangerous and retaliatory intentions of Joab against Abner, over the death of Asahel. Abner had killed Asahel earlier and Joab seemed to be indifferent to this. He pretended to be peaceful, so he could deceive and kill Abner. Abner had thought he was safe in the company of Joab but unfortunately, he was wrong.
Child of God, beware of hidden enemies. They can be anywhere. The most dangerous enemies are those you think you can rely on and trust with your life but who are actually looking for an opportunity to cut you down. Therefore, you need to be prayerful and watchful so that God will not allow their counsel against you to come to pass. In fact, there are those carrying age-long grudges against you, even in the Church. So, you need to be careful and also ask the Lord to guide and deliver you.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, save me from all hidden enemies in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
