Remain Faithful Through Grief 04.18.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday April 18, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of II Samuel. Please read Chapters 19-20 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20%20Samuel%2019-20;&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Joab rebuking David; he returns to Jerusalem; Sheba rebelling and is killed. Today's message focuses on the importance of having faith and trust in God through all things including grief and sorrow.

David's deep grief at the death of his evil son Absalom made him incapable of feeling or carrying out his responsibility to both God and the people. His sorrow was so great that he lost all sense of gratitude to God and his faithful followers. But the death of the rebel leader was the only way by which peace could be restored to the nation and the throne could be restored to its God-appointed king. "And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (II Samuel 19:1-4).

A great crisis faced the nation and, if Joab had not aroused David to action, the consequences could have been disastrous. "And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent." (19:5-8). David's weakness here is one of which all of us in similar circumstances need encouragement. Although we may take exception to the spirit of Joab's rebuke to David as rude and unkind, no one can contradict his reasoning. Subsequently, David manifested a proper spirit and acknowledged himself wrong.

The general discontent of Israel gave Sheba, an ambitious leader, the opportunity to start another civil war. "And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem." (20:1-2).

The years of suffering, rebellion, murder, and civil war during David's reign were directly related to his sin with Bathsheba (12:10). Little could David realize, when he beheld the beautiful Bathsheba taking a bath, that it could bring so much suffering. Although the Lord forgave David's sin (12:13), its consequences continued to plague him throughout the last half of his reign. The fleeting, momentary pleasures of sin always come at a price much higher than was expected.

All of us, at times, are responsible for the adversities and sorrows which we experience. It is also natural to condemn ourselves for our faults and failures, or even to blame others for the things that disappoint us. Like David, we can grieve too long over what might have been. If we are out of the will of God, we need to repent of our sins, ask God to forgive us, and move forward.

In our darkest moments, we all need friends to remind us to trust the Lord. In turn, we need to be a friend who will share comforting words with a despondent sufferer. By God's grace, we should encourage them to become involved in a local church where others can help deepen and nurture their faith in the love of God for we are members of Christ's body.

Grief and sorrow come to all of us sooner or later, but Christians who put their lives and their trust in Jesus are able to endure all things. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through David, who wished to be invited back as king (II Samuel 19:11). Our Lord Jesus wants to be invited into the hearts of all mankind. He won't force His will on us; He only comes in by our invitation. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:19-21).

Today's Psalm: 30:5
"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
When we consider how many struggles, hardships and temptations we face in our lifetime the weight of these difficulties could overwhelm us. Lord, comfort those who are grieving, give them peace and let them know that You are near and that you are with them and have not forsaken them. Remind them that it is in Your resurrection that we stand victorious in the end when we face our last enemy on this side. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a great and wonderful Friday and weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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