"Now David said, 'Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.' And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief."
David here employs God's way of developing leaders. The king didn't need talkers, braggers, or theoreticians--he needed someone to risk his neck, and kick the Jebusites out (of what would become Jeru-
salem--the headquarters of the Old Covenant church). We see this same pattern in the New Testament, (cf. Rom. 16:3-4).
What about us? Is God calling us to do something bold for Him, within the sphere of our influence and ability? Spiritually, we are always "safer" when we are on the offensive, rather than when we are on the defensive.
[Puritan quote of the day: "There is not the weakest and poorest crea-
ture in the world who is pardoned [for sin] but he understands more of the light of God's grace and covenant than the greatest doctors or rab-
bis in the world." --Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "Gospel Remission"]
