PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Samuel 19-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“We have a greater claim on David than you have.” (2 Samuel 19:43)
What strikes me in this reading is the divisions in Israel.
“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)
Jesus’s followers have also struggled with this same division:
– the disciples argue about who was the greatest (Mark 9:33-35).
– Corinthians fight over who they belonged to (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)
This is Satan’s way, eager to divide and conquer the church.
Look at how divided we are: Reformed, Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal.
Liberal, conservative, traditional, progressive, white and black churches.
‘Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in American life.’ (Martin Luther King jr)
We are all brothers and sisters, one in Christ, welcomed by grace.
The divisions in Israel eventually led to it’s collapse.
Jesus’s kingdom won’t collapse, but many churches and denominations will.
Jesus followers need to make unity in grace our top priority.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
PRAYER
Lord, the world should know we are your disciples by our love for one another. Help me to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
David loved Absalom – but it cost him: “You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead.” David wanted to be be merciful but his men killed him. Yet there was division everywhere among the tribes of Israel and key individuals fermented rebellion that had to be put down. Still it is a sad state of affairs and where is a sincere desire to seek God’s counsel in all this. I don’t see it? Seems like back in the times of the judges. David has to reestablish unity in Israel and once again establish Israel to be a people by whom all people’s can be blessed. How can I promote unity in Christ today?
Which king do I follow?
Jesus is Lord and I need to do His will at all times. And as His instrument of peace I need to learn to live at peace with all – serving Him.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.