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Today is Thursday April 16, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of II Samuel. Please read chapters 13-14 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%2013-14&version=9

Today's Message: Be An Example
Even though God forgives us of our sins when we repent and forsake them, there may be consequences in the future not only to ourselves, but to our children as well. If we want our children to be godly we must first be an example for them to follow.

David, in his moment of sin with Bathsheba, never realized the consequences that would follow even though God had forgiven him. It first started with the death of his first son with Bathsheba, he only lived for seven days. Now, we learn of the fallout between his son's Amnon and Absalom over Absalom's sister, Tamar.

Absalom was the half brother of Amnon and he had a sister name Tamar, whom was the also the daughter of King David by Maacah. Now, Amnon who was David's firstborn son and heir to the throne had a crazy love for his half sister and developed a plan to get Tamar alone with him. "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 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................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." (II Samuel 13:1-2,11-12,14-15). After his brief moment of lustful gratification, he forced her out of his home and locked the door. His sudden hate toward his sister was caused by the guilt over what he had done. Anytime a person satisfies themselves by deceiving or hurting others they immediately change their attitude around them and their loved ones.

Dishonored and heartbroken, Tamar hid herself at Absalom's house. "And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house." (13:19-20).

When David learned of Amnon's deception and wicked sin against his daughter he was very angry. Even though the Law of God demanded the death sentence for rape, David took no action. Two years later, determined to see justice, Absalom had Amnon killed. "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." (13:28-29 ). Absalom then fled for safety to Geshur where he lived with his grandfather for three years.

A parent can experience no greater suffering than to see similar sins they have made repeated by their own children. We cannot avoid the inevitable results, but we can do something before it even happens. No matter how unhappy we are with the way our lives are going we can not change the past nor can we involve ourselves into things that we know will get us into trouble. We must set an example for our children, they see and model everything that we do. If a father/father figure is disrespectful to his wife, a son will be disrespectful to women. If a mother/mother figure wears provocative clothes and is flirtatious, a daughter will be also. We do have the power to change what we do today, that power is Jesus Christ. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9).

Today's Psalm is a Proverb:22:6
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
You love us with an everlasting love. Your enduring love stands as the supreme example for us to follow in our human relationships. Even when we have forsaken You and broken our vows, You continue to forgive us and woo us back to Yourself. You are not a god of retribution but a God of mercy. Even when we listen to the world’s counsel and experience dismal failure You pick up the shattered pieces and still call us Your own. Only a God like You deserves our complete loyalty. As we personally experience Your enduring love when we least deserve it, help us to apply the same kind of enduring love to those who least deserve it from us. Only through Your strength can we do even the impossible. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed night/day!
God Bless You,
Christina

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