Troubled Hearts: Breeding Grounds For Unwise Actions

435 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 4:1-3, “When Saul's son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart, and all Israel was troubled. 2 Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of troops. The name of one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin. (For Beeroth also was part of Benjamin, 3 because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there until this day.) (2 Sam 4:1-3) The story of David's ascension to the throne of Israel continues with the introduction of two more characters. Baanah and Rechab were Benjamites who had high standing in Ishbosheth's army. The royal family of Saul was not in good straits at this time. Ishbosheth had lost all heart when he heard the news about Abner's death, and with a cowering leader, all the rest of Israel was troubled as well. Israel was in a state of fearful agitation. Fearful, troubled hearts are breeding grounds for hasty unwise actions. It was fear that caused Abraham to try to pawn Sarah off as his sister (Gen 12:12) It was fear that caused Saul to give in to the people and take spoil that God had forbidden ( 1 Sam 15:24) It is fear that often causes us to ignore God's instructions in His Word, and take matters into our own hands. No wonder we see the phrase “fear not” so often in Scripture. No wonder Jesus reminded us to not be troubled. Joh 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” Joh 14:27b, “ Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Yes, there will be circumstances in our lives that will produce a fearful unrest or agitation. When they occur, try to remember these words of Jesus and look at things from an eternal perspective. The Bible promises that even if we are troubled in this life, the day is coming when the faithful will receive their rest. 2Th 1:7 says, “ to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,” Father, give the troubled the heart to wait on You in their troubled times.