Good morning, this year keeps moving along whether we are ready for it. I hope you are growing in the Lord as we read. Today we look at 2 Samuel 18-19.
The three themes which spoke to me today are: Even kings don’t always get their way all the time; nature can work against us; and we must not worship ourselves.
You can’t always get what you want
Not even the great King David always gets his way. He had men killed, has his way with many women who bear his sons, conquered giants, and ruled over all twelve tribes of Israel.
He goes to battle and wants to be with his men. A good leader likes to lead by example. He loves his troops. Therefore, he wants to ride with them as he had always done.
A good leader also develops others and takes advice from those in his inner circle. They tell him it is too risky for him to be in battle; he agrees. In verse 18:4, he answers, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”
People with power will sometimes behave arrogantly. The adage: my way or the highway, comes to mind. This is not always wise.
A smart leader with power will trust in his advisors.
President Trump’s ongoing practice of praying with spiritual leaders at the White House is a source of great joy to me. This was my prayer, that he would seek God. Let’s hope this persists.
David gives one command, “be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake” (v18:5). Joab does not honor this request.
It’s only natural
Verse 18:8 tells us the forest swallowed up more men than the sword.
This includes Absalom getting his hair stuck in a branch and being hung in a tree.
I’m from the generation that let our hair grow long as a sign of freedom. Here it condemns Absalom.
In our understanding, Galatians 3:13 refers to Jesus, who redeemed us from the Law’s curse by becoming a curse for us, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (NASB).
As stated that was a written before, in Deuteronomy 21:23.
Here we also see a foreshadowing of Jesus being pierced as Joab and ten of his men thrust their spears into Absalom’s body.
It’s not about us
Absalom, as we spoke of yesterday, had been conniving and deceitful. His treachery contributed to his demise.
We read in verse 18:18 that he made a monument for himself. This is a problem I see today.
Many people choose not to attend or support a church. They will say that the people are hypocrites.
Often, they recount an experience where something or someone at the event offended them. They use this as a justification for not attending again.
Perhaps their commitment will lead them to find another church. The issue is the same.
They are creating for themselves a religion based upon themselves.
We are blessed when we gain something from a service. That is not why we should go to church.
The purpose of attending church is to join others in worshipping the Lord. It is about Him, not us.
It’s not about getting, it is about serving. We are called to gather (see Heb 10:25) to praise God. He has earned the respect and admiration of others.
People will claim they aren’t being fed. First, it isn’t about being fed, but about feeding others. Second, when we are feeding others, we have food in our hands. We starve ourselves by refusing to eat what is provided.
David, though he is king, can not even grieve for his son. With unwavering support, he boosted the morale of his discouraged troops.
He understands and respects that others have needs, too. So he does what is necessary.
We could all take this attitude and we would see our faith grow. The reward of serving others would be a blessing to us. Joy would come from giving.
When you attend, are you there for you, or the person next to you that may need your support?
A tree draws from the soil, but it gives more of itself to the world around it. That is what growth is.
Are you growing?
