Running in the Wrong Direction

By Romina Chevren

“So they stood up and were counted off—twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David’s men. The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. Abner looked behind him and asked, ‘Is that you, Asahel?’ ‘It is,’ he answered. Then Abner said to him, ‘Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons.’ But Asahel would not stop chasing him. Again Abner warned Asahel, ‘Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?’”—2 Samuel 2:15–22 (NIV)

This passage captures a tragic and vivid moment during the early days of David’s rise to power. Two factions—one loyal to David and the other to Ish-Bosheth—clashed in what began as a contest but escalated into a fierce and bloody battle. Amid the chaos, we meet Asahel, a young warrior known for his speed. Scripture says he was “as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle,” and with determination, he pursued Abner, the seasoned commander of Saul’s army.

But Asahel’s speed was not matched by wisdom. Though Abner warned him multiple times to turn aside, Asahel refused. His passion, pride, or sense of personal justice compelled him to continue the chase. Tragically, this ends with Abner reluctantly killing him—an outcome no one wanted.

Asahel’s story offers us a powerful caution: zeal without wisdom can lead to destruction. Passion, drive, and even loyalty are not enough on their own. If not guided by discernment, they can carry us straight into danger.

Sometimes we, too, get locked onto a path. Fueled by emotion, ambition, or even the desire to “do what’s right,” we run hard, but we never pause to ask: Is this what God wants? Am I running after the right thing?

Asahel may have believed he was doing something noble by chasing Abner, but his pursuit was personal, not strategic. He wasn’t listening to wise counsel, and he wasn’t discerning the moment. He was just running.

Abner, despite being on the opposing side, shows more caution. He recognizes the potential for regret and pleads with Asahel to stop, knowing this will only bring more grief. In that moment, the one being chased shows more wisdom than the one doing the chasing.

Are you chasing something God never asked you to pursue? Maybe it's a relationship, a goal, a fight, or a dream. Is your energy being spent on a path that could lead to hurt or regret? It’s not enough to run hard, you must also run in the right direction, led by the Spirit and not emotion.

There’s nothing wrong with being passionate, bold, or ambitious, but each one must be submitted to God’s wisdom. Before you set off after anything, pause and pray: “Lord, is this the race You’ve marked out for me?”

Running fast only matters if you're running the right race. Let God direct your path and you’ll find peace, even in pursuit.

Pause:

·Are you pursuing something simply because it feels urgent or personal?

·Have you paused to ask God whether your direction is aligned with His will?

Practice:

1.Seek God’s Counsel: Before running into action, spend time in prayer. Let His Word and Spirit guide your steps.

2.Be Open to Correction: Listen to godly voices around you who may be warning you to pause or shift direction.

3.Let Go of Unwise Pursuits: If you recognize you’ve been running in the wrong direction, stop. Surrender it to God, and let Him redirect your heart.

Pray: Father, I don’t want to run hard in the wrong direction. Teach me to submit my passions, pursuits, and desires to You. Give me discernment to know when to stop and when to go. Help me to listen to wise counsel and follow Your Spirit’s leading. Let my steps be guided by truth, not pride or impulse. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.