Transitions of power can be messy, and the transition from Saul to David was no exception. God had promised David the kingdom, but after Saul’s death, most of Israel still remained loyal to Saul’s house. Into that uncertainty stepped Abner—a powerful, influential man accustomed to making things happen. He made a king, fought a war, strengthened his position, and eventually tried to deliver to David the very kingdom God had already promised him. Abner’s story exposes a temptation familiar to all of us: when we know (or think we know) how things ought to turn out, we can begin to assume responsibility for making them turn out that way. But God’s purposes do not depend upon our strength, influence, or ability to control the outcome. In 2 Samuel 2:8–4:12, the “strong” man and the “weak” king remind us to trust God and not force his purposes.
Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.
