SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. [2 Samuel 3:1] In today’s reading, we see God’s purpose unfolding in the midst of the turbulent day-to-day grind. From a God perspective, David is gaining his throne; from a people perspective we see the dirty details, what happens between Ish-bosheth and Abner, David and Abner, Joab and Abner, and David and Joab – and how all this plays out with the reunification of Israel and Judah under David.
We live in the people-perspective; it takes faith to see and accept the God-perspective. The author of 2 Samuel has this perspective in hindsight as they write this account of David’s ascent to the throne. One day we will have the perspective of hindsight. But for now, it takes faith to see God’s perspective in light of the daily, dirty details of life. And sometimes, it even looks like our side is losing. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. [Matthew 24:10-13]
Life as we see it is often a mess. Lots of intrigue, deception, death and grief. Things do not go as we hope or plan. Like David, we end up grieving when people we love die, or let us down, or suffer. In some ways, it seems the wickedness is increasing. It takes faith to look beyond the daily dirty details to see God’s plan and power. One day we will see it through hindsight, but for now we have to stand firm, not allow ourselves to be deceived, and not let our love grow cold. One day we will see David’s house (i.e. Jesus’ kingdom) established.
As a Jesus-follower, I look back on these old testament stories with mixed feelings. There are disturbing details that unsettle me. But then again, there are disturbing details today that unsettle me. Sometimes I wonder why God allows these things, then and now. But Jesus assures me that behind this stuff God’s hand is at work, and one day His kingdom will overcome. Each day we need to choose to stand firm, to refuse the devil’s lies, and to cling to the Lord we love. This doesn’t man we cannot grieve when things go wrong, but through our grief we somehow keep looking up, to see God’s hand guiding and restraining all the daily, dirty details.
PRAYER:
Lord, sometimes I struggle with what goes wrong… sometimes I wonder whether You are still in control. But I choose today to hang on to You!
LORD, although the details may be very different but we see the world today is not so different then the world of then. Our communities are full of power struggles, strife, jealousy, pride, arrogance, judgemental harshness, greed, selfishness, the lusting for personal gain. Father, forgive us, help us to humble ourselves, pray to You and turn from our sinful ways. In these days, we cry out to You, knowing that You will hear us. You will be found by us if we seek You wholeheartedly. You will end our captivity and restore us.
Thank You Father that You are in control and that You are Sovereign. Open our hearts and minds that we might be transformed, that we might yet learn to walk each day in love, seeing the world through Your eyes, reaching out to this world with Your love, compassion, mercy and grace.
Thank You LORD that You have the power to take all that is ugly and turn it into beauty. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone. Because He live, I know who holds the future and I can face uncertain times because Christ lives. I give You all the glory, honour and praise.
God at work. The families were at war with each other. Families selected by the Lord to serve Him were at odds how to live for Him. It even infected the relationship of husband and wife – to your family be true – no matter the cost? To God be true. He needs to be the pillar post in all of our doings. Serve Him and not my own selfish desires.
Abner was in it for himself – a power struggle and yet in all of this David did not sin. His power increased through the murder of Abner. How do I read the world around me? How do I see Christ in all things?
As I read this selection, I know what happened. As I live this day amid the brokeness, I also know what happens. God is the Ruler yet and His Kingdom will be in full one day. In the mean time, I must live for Jesus in all I do and say and have no part of the sin that is around me. To God be true. Be in the world and not of the world. I need to live by His bread of life each day in all I do and say. Give me strength each day Lord. Give me oil in my lamp and keep me burning.
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry,
“The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world,
from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.
This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring.
God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.
This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze
God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.