Judgments of rebels and of kings

Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.” Absalom would then say to him, “Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.”

Then Absalom would say,
“Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.”
– 2 Samuel 15:2-4

Let us study the nature of two men; one a rebel, the other a king.

Absalom was characterized with a heart of judgement, often taking matters into his own internal consultation. He sees all the wrong in the world, yet refuses to look at his own heart. Ironically if justice was truly served, Absalom would be dead (for he murdered his brother Amnon). But such is the blindness of one who is right in their own eyes.

David on the other hand, recognizes his blindness and allows wisdom to form his inner being. David, when cursed and hit with stones (2 Samuel 16:5), does not act out of a heart of self-righteousness (though the stone thrower deserved death according to law) David leaves the incident to the Lord, knowing that He is the perfect judge; trusting then in the retribution of God.

While my temperament leans towards judgement, I must submit to the rulership, the authority, and the judgment of God. I do not know better than He. His thoughts are higher than my own. If my heart is submitted to God, then I must also submit to those in authority above me…those He has placed to rightly judge my person. With this heart stance I avoid a life striving towards rebellion.

Lord will you shape my heart towards obedience. Keep rebellion far from my person. Help me to lead in humility. Keep my thoughts from rash judgement. Shape my person to be one of kindness and mercy towards others. May my heart be pliable to the yoke you have placed over me.
Amen

Shoot the messenger

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
– Matthew 22:1-6

This parable mirrors a true event in the days of King David’s reign (see 2 Samuel 10). When the neighboring Ammonite’s king had passed, David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash (the dead Ammonite king), as his father dealt loyally with me.” David then sends his servants to console Hanun, but the princes of the Ammonite land spoke lies of David’s intentions…they deal shamefully with David’s servants and send them back with torn garments.

Why is this important?
Lets look at the parallels within these two stories:
– Both kingdoms have good natured kings.
– Both worlds have wicked people bent against the king.
– Both cases involve the mistreatment of their king’s servants…humiliation, rejection, even death.
– Both stories involve an open hand of friendship.
– Both endings resolve poorly for those who oppose the goodness and servanthood of their king.

As a servant of the King, I must recognize that the kindness and message that I hold is not always received well. Rejection is common for the servant of The Most High. I may often be misunderstood, may often be abused, shamed, possibly even killed. But my King leads an everlasting Kingdom, whose rule will never end…it is in this King that I may hope for a day of vindication, a day of rule and justice. Ultimately the balances are held within the hand of my Lord…I trust He will do what is Just, and True…for He is a Just God.

Lord today I struggle, and I feel agitated and anxious. Meet your servant here, recenter my heart to your purpose. I fear I am so far from your love.

Sitting before God

Then King David went and sat before Yahweh and said, “Who am I, my lord Yahweh, and what is my house that you have brought me up to this place?
– 2 Samuel 7:18

David, wanting to rectify the unbalanced housing situation of God’s dwelling place, is in-turn blessed by God, told that Yahweh does not need a house, and has David’s house established forever…what a role reversal!

Perhaps what this passage stirs within me is a lack of “Home.” I’ve often imagined having a home of my own with a family, a library and stairwell leading to bedrooms. But these dreamings have not yet been promised to me by God, and if I strive to attain such dreams I will only live in disappointment. I need to let the dream go.

Regardless, David’s position before the Lord is fascinating…and one that I feel I share. It says David “sat” before the Yahweh. This scripture gives me a strange sense of peace. My inner soul is not yet quieted however, and I need to sit in the Lord’s presence…I need to embrace Yahweh.

Yahweh, help me divorce all that is not of you. Calm my soul, heal my hurting wretched heart.
Amen

A Student of Hardship

And David said,”As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish.
– 1 Samuel 26:10

And David said to Abigail,”Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!
– 1 Samuel 25:32,33

ESV notes:
“God has given your enemy into your hand.” Abishai uses the same arguments as David’s men in (24:4), and David again refuses, adding that God will surely strike Saul instead, a lesson he perhaps learned from the death of Nabal (25:39)

When those who walk in righteousness are wronged or insulted, instead of taking matters into their own hands, they may trust in the justice of God.

I am personally impressed with the teachable nature of David. Through suffering and hardship much can be learned, both of life and oneself. David makes himself a student of hardship, learning well the strength and vengeance of God. It is here where the written psalm rings true, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

May my soul cling to you Lord…and no one else. May I embrace your promises, yet not trust in their ability to deliver your servant…for you O Lord are my deliverance. I trust in your justice, your goodness Lord; your beauty I long to see.
Amen

The desire for salvation

O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices,
And in your salvation how greatly he exults!
You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah

– Psalms 21:1-2

This psalm is the result of David’s declaration in praise to God. Notably, this is “King David,” not the lost songs of a shepherd boy…yet, this heart before God remains unchanged by time. This heart knows where to direct its praise, it’s adoration…to the King of kings.

Father help me to beleive in your unfailing love. Help me to know you have good things planned for me…that you are for me and not against me. That you care about the desires of my heart, that you will not withhold my request. Help me to know in my heart that you are good.
Amen

Victory in Movement

Scripture)

And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

-2 Samuel 8:6

Observation)

The continual crescendo of victory in David’s life and rulership is not based out of his skill (though he was skilled) but it emanates out of the blessing of God.

Application)

I felt God speak to me and question, “What if you let me give you creative ideas rather than relying on yourself?” What great victories do I hinder myself from because of creative control? In the past my greatest artwork has been inspired by His greater creativity. In this next season I choose to let go.

Prayer)

Lord be my driver, inspiration, creative vision. Guide my hands to your great works.

Amen

Times of unspeakable odds

Scripture)
And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him.
-1 Samuel 18:14

Observation)
The Lord’s presence in David’s life causes him to succeed. But his success truly lies before the event of Goliath’s downfall. David’s success was built from a devoted heart, one that ran after the Father’s heart…before his instant popularity.

Application)
Just like David my success will be feared by people who have disowned their God and even their calling. I must be ready to evade and be attentive to the snares that the enemy will so eagerly put before me. But I will also have peace knowing the same presence that I have grown close to will be the same presence that will guide me in times of unspeakable odds.

Prayer)
Lord may Your presence always be with Your servant. May I continually take refuge in You. Create me to be a person of righteousness with deeds that prove Your presence within. May I always seek Your face. Amen