The Means

For when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom; then they struck him and killed him, beheaded him and took his head, and were all night escaping through the plain. 2 Samuel 4:7

The son of Saul was an enemy of the rightful king, David. Two of Ishbosheth's captains decided to do King David a favor and murdered him in his home, and then presented the king with the dead head. So, how did that work for them?

Sometimes, we may fall into the temptation that overcomes many in this world; the temptation of thinking that the end justifies the means. The means are so very important to the Lord. My case for this is personified in Jesus the Christ. As our Lord Jesus is the means to our salvation, those means are important to you and me too! Jesus Himself told John the Baptist that things had to be done right. The means were important to Jesus as well, and He did not take the short cut of baptizing John right there. This life we live in Christ is the means to an end, and though we desire that end, let us rejoice in the means first. 

So, King David was less than pleased with the means of murder used, supposedly, on his behalf. As king he meted out justice to the two captains, perhaps much to their surprise, and they joined their former master in death. 

Perhaps a more cheerful message tomorrow? 

Have a better day in Christ!
Bucky