2 Samuel 2:28
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
The civil war between Saul’s and David’s men after Saul’s death was unnecessary. They were not fighting over truth, but they were fighting over personality. They were not fighting false gods, but they were fighting for an institution. If one side had brought in false gods, the war would have been necessary. If one side allowed wickedness to come into the land, this war would have been needed. If one side was blaspheming the name of God, this war was justified.
However, this war had nothing to do with fighting for truth or for contending for their faith. This war had everything to do with fighting over two personalities. This war had everything to do with one side being wronged and the other side not wanting to admit the wrong.
The way this war was stopped was that one man said, “It is enough.” Abner became the bigger man by calling Joab and asking in verse 26, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? It was this question that caused Joab to blow the trumpet and end the needless war.
It is time that many blow the trumpet and end their war with someone. Whether it be a Christian who another Christian wronged, a sibling wronged by their sibling, a church member hurt by their pastor, a pastor hurt by another pastor, or a friend hurt by another friend, the battle needs to end. We all have excuses for why we hold our grudges against someone, but the trumpet of forgiveness needs to be blown to end the needless battles. Let me share four thoughts about this critical truth.
First, nobody wins with battles over disagreements. You may be right, but you are wrong to continue the battle when what you are battling over is done and over. At some point, you need to move on from what happened and forgive the other person. You may win in the popularity battle but lose in the blessings of God because of your lack of forgiveness.
Second, innocent people are destroyed over battles between two people. People often take sides when two personalities hold grudges against each other, and innocent people end up making bad decisions that harm the cause of Christ. Just because you gain more people on your side does not mean that you win. You can win the popularity contest but still be wrong because you won’t forgive.
Third, somebody needs to be the bigger Christian and blow the trumpet of forgiveness. Somebody has to say, “It is enough.” It doesn't matter if you are the one who always blows the trumpet; it is better to be right with God and blow the trumpet than to continue a needless battle that does not please God.
Fourth, the cause of Christ is much greater than your grudge battle. At some point, adults need to stop acting like children with their grudge battles. I am not at all talking about fighting for truth and the faith; I am talking about fighting over a disagreement you had with someone. Needless battles over a grudge with another personality harm the cause of Christ. It is always better to forgive for the cause of Christ so that more souls can be reached than it is to hold onto grudge battles and keep souls from being saved.
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