2 Samuel 10, I Chronicles 19, Psalm 20

Have you ever played Red Rover? Two teams line up opposite each other. One team invites an opponent to “come over” and try to break through their strongest defense. If the opponent is successful, he takes one of the defensive team members to join him on his team. If the defense holds, that player must join the defenders and become part of their stronghold. (ah-great memories of Oxford Street)

I Chronicles 19:19 says, “So when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served him. Thus, the Arameans were not willing to help the sons of Ammon anymore.”

Red Rover, Red Rover, let the Arameans come over!

Got me thinking about people who consider themselves enemies of Christianity. I understand why they hate us. They hated Jesus, and Jesus told us they’d hate us, too. But I’m wondering if we give them reason to come over to our side.

Why should they want to join us if we don’t look or act any differently than they? If we are as miserable, or as dishonest, or as self-satisfying as they, what would draw them to our Savior? And if they are more loving and generous, if they look at us as ignorant or prejudice, why wouldn’t they put themselves above us? They certainly won’t see a reason to change.

God is asking me about my own stronghold. Is it grounded in Scripture? Do I know what I believe and why I know it’s true? Am I totally committed to Jesus? Do I call sin sin and still love the sinner?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16 that we are to let our light shine in such a way that people will recognize our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

Does that ring true in my life? Do I, by my words and actions and attitude and faith shine a spotlight on my Savior? And when I ask someone to join me, will they see that what I have with Jesus is so much better than what they have without Him?

Father, I am convicted this morning. I want to be Your voice, Your arms and legs. I want to represent You in such a way that people are running toward You to be on Your team. Forgive my tendency to hold on to the world just a little bit, weakening my stronghold with You. Forgive the sin in my life that would keep people away.  Help me to love them like You love them, to be ready to give an answer for the hope I have in You. And may Jesus be glorified.