The Well
The Well |
|
Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Tuesday
June 10, 2008
"You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have
made it clear today that we mean nothing to you. If Absalom had lived and all of
us had died, you would be pleased."
2 Samuel 19:6
When King David received the news that Absalom was dead the Bible says he was "overcome with emotion." Apparently, the king stayed in his room mourning his son for quite some time because when someone got word to Joab he was still in the battlefield. When the king's army heard about the king's grief they too entered a deep sadness and crept back into the city in shame. However, Joab loved the king and confronted him with the truth ¾ it was either Absalom or the king and he opted to do away with Absalom.
King David wasn't just mourning Absalom; he was mourning a broken relationship that died before they could be reconciled. That is why forgiveness and reconciliation are vital to our emotional and spiritual lives. If someone we love is estranged from us and they die there is no resolution of the problem.
Being a man after God's own heart, King David learned from his failures. He became a much more compassionate man and walked in mercy. He extended mercy to his enemies and they became his advocates. Many people who had sided with Absalom were reconciled to the king because of his compassion and understanding. This can and will happen to us too if we will be as humble as King David.
Oppressed people rarely have the gift of discernment in spiritual matters. They are drawn to people who are against them, just as this verse described King David. That is why we must work through forgiving those who have hurt us. We are to walk as Jesus walked ¾ He even loved those who were against Him. He cried out from the cross for His Father to forgive those who killed him because they had no clue; most of the time the people who hurt us are clueless.
Once we recognize that our oppression is from the enemy, it is time to get up and get back to what God wants us to do; King David did and we can too. Some people in King David's life tried to get him to kill those who were on Absalom's side, but King David did the right thing because he was walking in the mercy of the Lord. That will be our response when we are walking in the Lord's mercy ¾ we will be free to extend mercy! I think it might be called walking in the spirit and I much prefer that to walking in the flesh!
Father, You deserve all of my praise and my attention. Please forgive me for letting my focus get so disoriented. Thank You for showing me where I am, who I am up against, and how to get back on track. Bless those who are under oppression today with the gift of a special friend who will help them back on their feet. Help us to give You all the honor and praise due Your name!
