Good morning, welcome to a new month. I am not sure about the rest of the world, but in America, we have a strange tradition on April 1st. We call it April fool’s day. A day where we lie about things.
Lying is a sin, but we find it funny to prank someone. Of course, you need to come clean and confess the lie. Otherwise it’s just mean.
Today we read 2 Samuel 15-17.
Lies and manipulation
What an appropriate storyline for this day. We have Absalom sitting by the side of the road (v15:2) and lie to the people. Like modern day politicians, he would kiss the people and put on a good show. He would then plant the idea in their minds that he should help them with their complaints.
Winning the hearts of the people with deception has been around for a long time.
Most of the leaders would use force and brutality, but Absalom used cunning and deception. Within four years, what we have set out as a presidential term, he had won the people over to his side.
Then he lies again and gets to go to Hebron, setting up the plan to become king.
He was David’s son. He had been around power his whole life. Power corrupts.
It is addictive. People who had power and lose it will do almost anything to regain it. We see this every year throughout the world.
Our secrets
People will lie, cheat and steal to get the things they want. I have always had an endless work ethic. My IQ is very high and I think fast on my feet. This combination has served me well.
There have been times I tried to take a shortcut. We call them get rich quick schemes. I have never been rich, at least not by worldly measures. Ultimately, everyone’s secrets will be revealed (see Luke 8:17).
More impressive than Absalom’s plan is David’s response. He gathered all the tribes loyal to him, including the newly arrived Gittites, and embarked on a journey through the Kidron Valley.
Though he is a king, God’s anointed leader of Israel, he knows his sinfulness. He humbles himself, walking barefoot and weeping.
The whole countryside weeps with him. The countryside’s love for David was so strong that Absalom’s attempt to steal their hearts failed.
Leaving it in God’s hands
David then sends the Ark of the Covenant of God back to Jerusalem. We had always seen Israel’s strength was having God with them. Now he separates from the ark.
There have been times, knowing I had sinned, that I allowed God to be distant from me. I missed the closeness. Longing for the fellowship and thirsting for restoration, I would attempt to fix my problems on my own. Not because I didn’t think God could, or even would. He has always been faithful, even when I am not.
Guilt has led me to allow a gulf to form, because I didn’t think God should have to fix the mess I had made. Knowing I was not doing His will, I took my chances and failed. I didn’t feel worthy of His love.
Fortunately, God’s love for us is not based on our feelings. It is not determined by our worthiness. We are never worthy.
God’s grace is because of His character. It is who He is, not who we are. Therefore, our works are like filthy rags (see Isa 64:6)
David doesn’t play his God card. He didn’t remind God of the promise of an eternal throne, nor did he claim to be the anointed one. Absalom, after all, was his son.
Instead, he allows that separation to exist. He leaves the ark behind, trusting in God’s will. If it is His will, he knows God will bring him back to Jerusalem. If not, he is getting what he deserves.
When Shimei, son of Gera, curses him and throws rocks and dirt on him, he does not retaliate. The king’s men want to cut his head off, but David knows he is a murderer. What Shimei is saying is true.
We must accept our wrongfulness and trust in the Lord’s forgiveness. There is nothing we can do that will earn us salvation. Only God, by His mercy, and through the atoning blood of Jesus, can bring us back to His presence.
David does not deny his guilt. He doesn’t leverage his position or standing. It is not by his strength or reputation as a fighter, but only by the grace of God, that he will return to Jerusalem.
Do you feel a space between God and yourself? Are you wearing yourself out trying to get back into His graces?
It is time to admit your sins and accept His mercy. He wants you to come back to Him. Salvation is a gift for you to accept (Eph 2:9-10).
Stop walking barefoot away from God. To repent means to turn around. Instead of heading into the wilderness, seek God and trust in His worthiness.
