Joab was a successful military commander in King David’s army. His faith was bold. He was a fighter. Sometimes he struggled to keep his own ambitions in check. And sometimes he yielded his own preferences in faith to where God might lead.

This is one of those times. Joab was leading military campaigns to bring peace to the land for the building of the temple. He was speaking to Abishai, another commander, before each led a contingent of Israel’s army to defeat enemies.

“If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to rescue me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will rescue you. Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight” (1 Chronicles 19:12,13). 

Sometimes we pray God into a corner. We become too attached to our own ideas and plans, and we don’t reach out in faith to what God can do.

It’s okay to pray for your ideas and plans. Just add some fine print, like Joab trusted in the Lord to do “what is good in his sight.” 

Joab was prepared to yield to the Lord’s answer.

Dear God, thank you for hearing my prayers. You always hear and always answer in your perfect wisdom and love. Help me yield to your possibilities and purposes beyond my ideas and to trust you in them. Amen.