A Beautiful Day Awaits Us!
King David's men risked their lives for David and defeated the enemy, Israel, while killing Israel's leader, Absalom, King David's son. Because King David was so fixated on his son's death he lost focus of his beloved men who cared about him. As a result, he was reprimanded by Joab the commander of David's army.
I understand King David being fixated on his son. He loved his son and I'm sure there were feelings of guilt over his son's death. No matter how bad your kid is you still have a love for them. But sometimes we need shaken so that we are able to be broken loose from that which we wallow in. It's easy to lose focus of the big picture of God when we are stuck in our pain.
The sad thing is that getting reprimanded is hard but sometimes necessary. Sometimes we need someone to come alongside us and say the words that get us back on track where we belong. For me it's one of those love-hate things.
I hate it because it reminds me I'm not PERFECT. I like to think I'm good at what I do but the truth is I'm far from PERFECT. There's always room for growth and improvement.
But I love it because it does help me get back on track where I need to be. It help me become a better person.
Lord my life is yours. Do with it as you feel necessary so that I become conformed more and more into the image of Christ. Empower me so that I am able to accomplish the very things I need to accomplish for your kingdom and your glory, amen.
Absalom was dead along with twenty thousand men, but it was time to pick up the pieces and move on. Joab made it clear to David about how unappreciated that he and David’s men felt. They had risked their lives for David and many lives were lost, but David’s whole focus had been on the loss of his son who had turned against him. I’m thinking that it must have been challenging to try to overcome the division that there had been among the people who had chosen different sides.
I was reminded today about what Jesus said in Mark 3:24-25.
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
I too am touched by the first part of this chapter. David did not realize how his emotions and actions were affecting the people around him. It’s the same for us. If we are committed to the King, if we are a servant of Jesus Christ, we can’t allow ourselves the pampered privilege of being discouraged. Discouragement, depression and defeat are weapons of the enemy. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast our cares upon the Lord solely.
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11 that he has learned to be content in whatever state he is in. Contentment is the result of a decision you make with your mind – not a feeling in your heart.
Joab reminded David of his responsibilities. David changed his mind and his outlook and we must do the same when we are tempted to be discouraged. Aren’t we blessed beyond words? Every day that we wake up, we choose to see burdens or blessings. The choice we make affects everyone around us.
Lord, we need Your strength each and every day to walk the path You have before us. Let us encourage each other and set a good example to non-believers around us. Let Your will be done not ours.