Joab

5-7 But in private Joab rebuked the king: "Now you've done it—knocked the wind out of your loyal servants who have just saved your life, to say nothing of the lives of your sons and daughters, wives and concubines. What is this—loving those who hate you and hating those who love you? Your actions give a clear message: officers and soldiers mean nothing to you. You know that if Absalom were alive right now, we'd all be dead—would that make you happy? Get hold of yourself; get out there and put some heart into your servants! I swear to God that if you don't go to them they'll desert; not a soldier will be left here by nightfall. And that will be the worst thing that has happened yet." 2 Samuel 19:5-7 Message Bible

When David's son, Absalom, attempted to overthrow the king, it was Joab who led the defeat against Absalom's following and personally killed Absalom. Throughout the Bible, Joab remained loyal to David, his uncle. David ordered that Absalom not be killed, but Joab did so anyway to protect David. Joab knew that if he did not, then Absalom would have had them all killed.

When David grieved for his son in spite of his rebelliousness against him, it was Joab who rebuked him in the verse above. Joab was the only person who had the nerve to speak to David this way or who knew him well enough that he had the freedom to do so. Joab knew David was in pain and rightfully so. Joab also knew David had a greater responsibility to his people. In that time, the king was a great symbol to his people. The way the people perceived the king often dictated the fate of the king.

Everyone has someone in their life who can speak truth to them, even if it hurts. There is someone who can see the bigger picture better than we can. Someone in our lives who is willing to go against what we say in order to protect us. Perhaps, they shouldn't. Perhaps, that isn't the right thing. It depends on the situation. Still, we should offer those people extra patience because they are the ones who we know will stand by us in all circumstances.

When someone you are close to approaches you with news you don't want to hear, don't let your emotions lead the conversation. Sometimes it is best to ask that person to give you some time to think through it and pray about it. Pray about it and see if they are truly being shown something that you have missed about the bigger picture. Sometimes you may approach them with humility and thank them for caring enough to tell you. Sometimes you may kindly tell them that you don't currently feel the same way, but you still appreciate their caring.

In this life, we are not all going to agree on everything. We are going to have enemies, and we are going to have friends. We are going to have friends who are worse than our enemies. We should thank God if we have one person in our lives who is loyal enough to stand by us in all circumstances, even if you don't always agree. Sometimes this person is a spouse; sometimes it is someone else. Be open to how God uses those people in your lives. Often when we are blind, that person in our lives is not.

Father, help us to be open to how you use others to speak into our lives. Help us to discern who is trustworthy and who is not. Give us patience to receive true words from a loyal friend, even if we don't always agree.