TOPIC: KING ISHBOSHETH
MEMORISE: But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20
READ: 2 Samuel 2:8-12
[8]But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
[9]And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
[10]Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
[11]And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
[12]And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
MESSAGE
A major leadership lesson from the life of Ishbosheth, who took over from his father, Saul, is not to be timid.
In his two-year reign, he did not exhibit any independent confidence. His strength was from a man called Abner, the commander of his father’s soldiers.
No wonder he totally lost courage when he heard that Abner had died in Hebron (2 Samuel 4:1).
As a leader, you must be sure of your leadership qualities so that your followers won’t lose trust and confidence in you.
This is the reason the Bible encourages believers to build up themselves on their most holy faith so that their minds and spirits can be strong enough for God to entrust great responsibilities to them.
Beloved, don’t be a teenager who likes everything to be done for him or her without taking any initiative or risks.
Risks actually prepare you for the future. You need to build your confidence and skills as you grow into becoming an adult.
Take responsibility to train yourself now because a time will come when your parents or mentors will not be there to guide you.
ACTION POINT
Build spiritual and mental stamina now.
HYMN 18 – TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
1 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
CHORUS
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
3 Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
4 I’m so glad Learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend,
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23 Acts 2:1-47
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE