Consequences of Fulfilling Lust 04.15.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday April 15, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of II Samuel. Please read Chapters 13-14 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%2013-14&version=9

Today we will read and learn about David's sons, Absalom, Amnon, and his daughter Tamar; Tamar gets sexually abused by Anmon, and Absalom seeks revenge by murdering Anmon. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that lust leads to hatred and destruction, but Jesus gives us a way out of the destruction.

Absalom's sister Tamar was the beautiful daughter of King David by Maacah of Geshur. David's oldest son, Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, was about 20 years of age and was captivated by his half-sister. "And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her." (II Samuel 13:1-2). He pretended to be sick and asked his father to send Tamar to prepare him a meal in order to get her alone with him and when he did she pleaded with him to let her go. "So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand....And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee." (13:6,10-13). However, he would not listen to her and forced himself on her. "Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone." (13:14-15).
After his brief moment of lustful gratification, he forced her out of his home and locked the door. Tamar's life was ruined by the cruel defiling of Amnon, who destroyed his half-sister to satisfy his own evil lust. His sudden change of reaction from what he termed "love" for her to "hate" furnishes a striking proof that lust is not love. Lust, whether fulfilled or not, often turns to hatred. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren." (James 1:14-16)

When David learned of Amnon's deception and wicked sin against his daughter, he was very angry. Amnon was David's firstborn son and heir to the throne and motivated by selfish ambition to become king, Absalom, under the pretext of justice for the attack on his sister Tamar, murdered Amnon. "Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled." (II Samuel 13:28-29). Absalom then fled for safety to Geshur where he lived with his grandfather for three years. "But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years." (13:37-38).

The cesspool of sin is to be avoided since the results are sorrow, suffering, and separation from God. Parents can experience no greater suffering than to see their children repeat the same sins they commited. However, we cannot undo past sins, failures, and wasted time, but Christians are assured that we have an Advocate that can save us from sin. "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (I John 2:1-2).

We all should be deeply grateful for the mercy of God. From beginning to end, the Bible is the history of God's redeeming love. God is still pleading with every sinner to repent, turn from sin, and wholeheartedly yield himself to Christ as Lord. As we yield our wills to the Lord and allow Him to mold our thoughts and activiities to conformity with His will we then can fulfill the purpose for which He created us. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (I John 2:15-17).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through David's restoration of Absalom (II Samuel 14:33). If an earthly father's compassion reconciles him to his estranged son, how much more will our Heavenly Father reconcile us to Himself when we confess and forsake our sins. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:17-19).

Today's Psalm: 78:38
"But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We are blessed to live by Your mercy and grace, thank You for showing us a way out of the destruction of sin. Lord, forgive us for giving into our fleshly desires and help us to remain faithful to You by setting our thoughts on You especially when temptations arise. Lord, give us the strength and wisdom to overcome any temptation as You always give us a way out of any situation. Lord, walk with us, guide us, and abide in us, help us to follow Your will and to set our attention on that so that we are not giving in so easily to the lusts of our flesh. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a terrific Tuesday and God Bless you.
Christina

P.S. I apologize for getting this message out late, I had internet problems this morning.

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