[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟙𝟝:𝟚𝟛
"While all the country was
weeping with a loud voice, all the people passed over. The king also passed
over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over toward the way of the
wilderness."
It must have been a very emotional
and memorable scene! There are such comparable moments in our life too, I
suppose!
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟙𝟞:𝟙𝟡
"Besides, whom should I serve?
Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your
father's presence, so I will be in your presence."
A very big declaration but a lie.
Beware of people who are very convincing! But if one is convincing, how will we
doubt, huh? Interesting!
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟜
"Then Absalom and all the men
of Israel said, ‘The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel
of Ahithophel.’ For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of
Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom."
David sent Hushai for such strategy.
Hushai made use of his reputation to save David. God was with this strategy to
let Absalom fall.
God works through human agents!
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟜,
𝟛𝟛
"Then Joab said, ‘I will not waste
time here with you.’ So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them
through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the
oak."
"The king was deeply moved and
went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And thus he said as he walked,
"O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of
you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
Hmmm! What has become of the
friendship between Joab and Absalom? Absalom set Joab's field on fire and Joab
speared him to death.
Compare that to the enduring love
of David. Absalom did everything to kill David, he even raped all of David's
wives (concubines) in front of all. Yet, David would want to die on behalf of
Absalom.
David was upset and perhaps angry
with the conspiracy of Absalom, but he wouldn't forsake his love for his son.
That's something God has for us
too. He will never forsake us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
David was just wishing to die for his wicked son. Jesus actually died for us!
May we all have an enduring love
for one another!
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟙𝟡:𝟚𝟠
"For all my father's household
was nothing but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant
among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have yet that I should
complain anymore to the king?"
I like this guy Mephibosheth. He
has no complaints, only gratefulness.
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟚𝟘:𝟚𝟚
"Then the woman wisely came to
all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw
it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each
to his tent. Joab also returned to the king at Jerusalem."
There were some instances where the
people refuse to deliver the culprits and fight along with them. It takes
wisdom and courage to deliver even the culprit to the other party.
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟚𝟙:𝟟
"But Abishai the son of
Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of
David swore to him, saying, ‘You shall not go out again with us to battle, so
that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel.’"
The mighty giant (Goliath) killer
David was also just a human who needed help and protection from other men. This
time, this smaller giant was about to kill him.
We need each other!
[7:08 am, 28/06/2022] S.R: 𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟚𝟚:𝟛𝟙
"As for God, His way is
blameless; The word of the LORD is tested; He is a shield to all who take
refuge in Him."
God doesn't commit any mistakes.
God doesn't deceive anyone. God doesn't rejoice in the death of the wicked or
the suffering of the ungodly; He wants them to repent and enjoy His
forgiveness.
God plans and actually does
everything good. Happy is the one who doesn't find fault in God!
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟚𝟛:𝟚𝟛
"He was honored among the
thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David appointed him over his
guard."
We are equal before God as humans.
We are (should be) equal before the law too. But we aren't equal in most things
in the world. And that's alright and (should be) good.
There are some who are mightier,
smarter, braver, and more hardworking. There have to be classes of people. Yes,
even those who get more respect and less respect, more salary and less salary,
more attention and less attention, more work and less work.
Socialism (Marxism) is not a
seriously thought philosophy. We all know it's not the quantity of work, it's
the quality of work that matters most.
𝟚
𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕦𝕖𝕝
𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟚,
𝟙𝟜,
𝟙𝟟
"Go and speak to David, 'Thus
the LORD says, ‘I am offering you three things; choose for yourself one of
them, which I will do to you.’'"
"Then David said to Gad, ‘I am
in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies
are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.’"
"Then David spoke to the LORD
when he saw the angel who was striking down the people, and said, ‘Behold, it
is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what
have they done? Please let Your hand be against me and against my father's
house.’"
Human justice at its best is still
injustice. When they are victims they exacted harsher punishment, when they are
the perpetrators, they settled for lenient compensation.
Relying on God is much better,
safer, and right!