First Kings
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Getting Religion: a Last Resort
(I Kings 2:28-34)
For some people, God becomes the court of last resort. They wander recklessly through life with nary a consideration for Christ in the world. They neglect the Bible, avoid the church, and rear their children as veritable heathen. “No time for religion,” they glibly say. They drink, party, carouse, and blaspheme without any concern for higher principles. A bumper sticker summed up their secular philosophy: “I believe in life; not afterlife.” With pseudo-intellectual argumentation these secularist lemmings dance carelessly on toward the brink of the Christless chasm of eternity—until the moment comes when they need God.
Joab’s life followed essentially the secularist mentality so prevalent today. David, to be sure, had a genuine relationship with the Lord. While he was far from perfect, David knew fellowship with God. He was a spiritual man. His spiritual sided guided him on most occasions. No one ever questioned David’s sincerity or his ultimate commitment to the Lord. Joab, David’s commanding general, was different. Scripture pictures him as a brilliant military strategist, but not as a spiritual man. He played hardball office politics with the best of them, but he never put his neck on the line for the Lord. For the greater part of his life, he was loyal to David; but he never came to believe in a cause bigger than himself. He was a classic, self-made, self-preserved, secular man—until he really needed God.
Upon hearing of Abiathar’s fate, Joab knew his goose was finally cooked—unless God intervened. So, having nowhere else to turn, he threw himself upon the altar and hoped for a miracle of mercy (28). It’s no surprise, however, that his miracle didn’t come. He had ignored God throughout life, and getting religion at the very end wouldn’t change that. If you’ve generally ignored God in your life, don’t expect Him to “drop everything” at your beck and call. Christ should be our first priority, not our last resort.
