You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?” Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh in Judah. Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home.  2 Kings 14:10-12

A Man’s Rally Point

The story here in 2 Kings is simple: king goes to battle, is defeated, and the army retreats. This could be the story of just about any man at some point in his life. We have all had the moment of great confidence when we proclaimed, “I’ve got this.” Maybe it is a personal leadership moment, a difficult family situation, or a work-related task. Regardless of what it is, all of us have faced defeat at some point in our life where confidence was fleeting at best. Some like Amaziah brought it on themselves, but others like David faced it because of circumstance out of his control. Saul bore down on David out of a misaligned motive and David met a hasty retreat. David went from having confidence, being in favor with the king, to being hunted by him. In either case, where you retreat to matters.

The rally point is the safe place where a man retreats to after engaging in a difficult struggle, cut off from what is needed to survive.

The first example, soldiers in the army of Judah, fled to home. This is a logical rally point. Each man went there most likely to resupply and defend. It was a safe place of refuge after a bitter defeat. Notice though for David, his rally point was much different. In Psalm 31 we get a glimpse of his rally point, ” Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.” David turned to God as his rally point. Both parties under distress, both head to a rallying point, one experiences salvation. That was the man after God’s own heart. Let God be the rally point that you retreat to, not if, but when you face defeat.

DO THIS TODAY: Plan on going to God when facing a defeat.