Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22, 30-37, 2 Samuel 14:21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day five)
“As soon as you hear the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ” (15:10) It is an old story. Young man. . .thinks he is ready for leadership. . .impatient. . .willing to do whatever to have his opportunity. . .even betray his father, challenge God’s choice. He has not, like his father, graduated from the school of patience. Absalom is a fool. For years, David has been off-balanced by his own sin and resultant loss of moral authority. He has been too lenient. Too trusting. At the end however, he rises to fight for the place that God has given him. Was he conflicted to do so? Yes. Did he summon up the courage to fight? Yes. The loser was Absalom. “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” (John 3:27) “Wait on the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)
Interesting that although one could look upon this situation and see Absalom’s part and blame him, yet the Lord God said (very clearly through Nathan) that it was David’s sin that led to this. I find that somewhat difficult to “work out” in my mind and yet the longer I live the more I appreciate that a thing is always what God says it is. I am learning (praise be to God) that seeking the counsel of the Lord on ALL THINGS is absolutely necessary. Jesus said in John 7, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” God’s ways are not our ways. Learning to walk according to His Counsel and Ways is how I have determined I will live the rest of my life. (Ps 73). Walk by faith…. not by sight.
There are so many lessons here. I routinely remind my children that I will raise them as the Lord raises us. I will tell them what is right and then rather than “make them” obey, I will leave it up to them. They have the free choice to either obey or disobey. However, I also always remind them that they may chose the sin, but I will chose the consequence. That is the stinger. I find this quite effective. Reminds me on this day when SA citizens are gathering to protest very legally/morally questionable plans by our leaders, to pray for those leaders. There is indeed a way that seems right to man, but the end is death. May it not be so for them and their families or by extension us and our families.