“A house divided against itself will fall.” Polarization is not new or unique to our time, but it is in our boat. Judah and Israel were divided. The house of Saul and the house of David entered open warfare. Asahel, a good man died. What do we do in a divided world? We pray and we pursue peace.
After he mourned the death of Saul, David began with prayer. He asked God what he should do. The Lord answered his prayer specifically. We sometimes imagine that God’s direction in our lives is general. We may be sure that there is a place he wants us to be and people he wants us to share life with. David took his wives and settled in Hebron where he reigned over Judah while Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth ruled over Israel.
David also blessed the men who buried Saul. As they were kind to Saul’s house, David prayed that God would show them kindness and faithfulness. Even though Saul acted as an enemy, David refused to treat Saul’s friends as enemies. It would be easy to become cynical and think that David was just saying the right things. It is true that we act out of our own self-interest. But David sought peace and pursued it. In God’s time, he would rule over all of Israel. But if he had chosen to take the throne of Israel by violence, he would never have united God’s people.
As we draw close to revival, ask God what he wants for you in this season. Pray specifically and when he speaks, obey specifically. We can’t go with God and stay where we are. Actively seek peace with those who wrongly presume they are your enemies. Who wrongly takes your silence for hostility? Exchange hospitality for hostility. As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
