Last week we saw how David took
basically five years to welcome his son, Absalom back. After three
years of living in Geshur, Absalom could come back to Jerusalem,
and only after two years did David allow Absalom to see him. So for
five years in total David kept his son at bay and this led to much
heartache and pain during those five years. This pain however
continued afterward as well when Absalom rebelled against David.
The lesson for us is that we mustn't harbor unforgiveness for too
long. We should follow Jesus' example and forgive as soon as we
can. It is really to our own benefit.
Due to all these unfortunate events
Absalom decided to exalt himself as king over Israel. He went to
sit at the gate of Jerusalem and he spoke to all who came to see
the king. If they had a lawsuit, he will ask them to tell him about
it. Then he would say that the king didn't have time to listen, but
if he was king he would listen to them and bring justice for them.
He then hugged them and kissed them. In this way he stole the
hearts of the people. This went on for four years and Absalom
gained a bigfollowing of the men of Israel. Then he lied to his
father. He said he made an oath to God, that if he can return to
Jerusalem after being in Geshur for three years, he will make a
payment to God at Hebron. So David gave his blessing to Absalom to
go. But once there Absalom started his revolt against his father
David.
"Then Absalom sent spies
throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear
the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, 'Absalom reigns in
Hebron!'" 2 Samuel 15:10
Absalom wanted to overthrow his
father from the throne. But messengers came to David warning him.
So David fled, he and many of his friends and followers.
"And all the country wept with
a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself
also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over
toward the way of the wilderness." 2 Samuel 15:23
The Bible tells us that David was
barefoot and he covered his head and all the people wept with him.
It was indeed a very sad day for David. But what is amazing to me
is that David didn't question God, or argue with Him, or ask why.
He turned back to God and allowed His will to be done.
"If I find favor in the eyes of
the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both the ark and His
dwelling place. But if He says thus: 'I have no delight in you,'
here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him." 2 Samuel 15:25,
26
Even in David's low point he
submitted himself to God. He didn't ask questions, he didn't rebel,
but he simply submitted himself to the will of God. And God was
pleased as we will see later on.
We must always keep holding on to
God, even though we might find ourselves in a low point in our
lives. We should hold on to Him Who is always good, always looking
out for our best interests. We should never turn our backs on Him
and stop honoring Him when things turn against us. We should always
keep on following Him, one step at a time. David humbled himself
before God and God honored that. Humble yourself before the Lord
too and glorify Him in everything you do. Even at a low point in
your life, your testimony can lift other people and inspire them.
David inspired all those around him and therefore they followed
him. And in the end they were all restored back to their positions
and honored as we will see later on. God will restore you too, just
keep holding on to Him, never letting go. He will always look after
you.
Father thank you that You look
after us at all times. Things might look bleak all around us when
we are in a low point in our lives, but thank you that You are in
control and that we can trust You to restore us back to our
positions and even higher. We praise You! Amen