The closing chapter of the book of Second Samuel detailed one more misadventure of David. He chose to number the men of war in Israel. That move was regrettable as thousands of men and animals perished when God visited the land in judgment. The first lesson from this is that not all ideas are God’s ideas. That an idea is good does not necessarily mean that it is sourced from God. Believers are not wired to pursue only what is good; they are to go for what is perfect and acceptable to God. Some ideas may be good but not acceptable. Consequently, not all ideas are worth pursuing.

“…not all ideas are worth pursuing…It is your responsibility to be able to sift through and separate past wrongs from present opportunities.”

Secondly, the most antagonistic person around may have some sense to lend you sometimes. Joab had caused David quite some sorrows. We can recall how he killed Absalom contrary to the king’s instruction. We also have it on record how he killed Abner and Amasa in cold blood. However, he offered the king timely advice in this place which, if it had been taken, could have saved him much destruction of life and animals. David did not listen. Perhaps, he was consumed by the many misdeeds of Joab that he could not see the sense he brought to the table. This is one example of the necessity to deal with people on prevailing circumstances and not on what has been archived against them. God may choose unknown persons or those with whom you do not agree to stir you in the right path sometimes. It is your responsibility to be able to sift through and separate past wrongs from present opportunities.

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