“I’ll Never be Shaken” – 2 Samuel 17

The great architect Frank Lloyd Wright was given the challenge of building the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, one of the most earthquake-prone cities in the world. Wright's investigation showed that a solid foundation could be "floated" on a sixty-foot layer of soft mud underlying the hotel, which would provide a shock-absorbing but solid support for the immense building. Shortly after the hotel was completed it withstood the worst earthquake in fifty-two years, while lesser buildings fell in ruins around it.

We sing it repeatedly. We sing about Christ being a firm foundation. We sing woah u woah … I’ll never be shaken. Our beloved hymn “A mighty fortress is our God” we sing, Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. We read in the scriptures about how the kingdom of God will never be shaken. We sing it. We read it. But, do we believe it? When we look around many of us see what we might think as shaking and falling. But why do we worry? Do we not believe that the Lord’s promises are yes and Amen? Do we believe that the Lord Sovereignly deals with all of what is happening in the world? Will we not be Ok when everything around us begins to fall apart? The truth is we don’t have to worry… and I will show you why today.

Last time we saw that David was face to face with his enemies. He was face to face with manipulation. He was face to face with Verbal and Physical abuse. And he was face to face with betrayal. Our king is in trouble and it does not look so good. Will his kingdom fall… will it be shaken? Many of his trusted advisors betrayed him to serve his son who is doing all that he can to take the kingdom from David in vial and immoral ways. But wait, is not the Kingdom given to David never to be shaken and or taken? Was it not given to him by the Lord?

And now Ahithophel, one of David’s trusted advisors, asked Absalom for 12000 men to hunt for David. He told him that he would catch up to him while he was weak and discouraged. He would go through his men and kill David only and bring back all of his men and return like a bride returning to her groom. Absalom liked the plan but for some reason, he wanted to hear what Hushai, someone he may not have trusted fully, what he had to say. Hushai told him, don’t do it. David and his men are not discouraged; they are like an angry mother bear whose cubs were stolen. Don’t forget David is a mighty man of war and his men are super awesome incredible ninja warriors. Number two David will not be with his men… you will never find him. He will ambush your men and all of Israel will hear about your loss. Don’t do this… mobilize your army and face David with an army as numerous as the sand and go with them. Crush them. Absalom and his men liked Hushai’s plan. But it was the Lord who intended Absalom to follow Hushai’s plan even though Ahithopel’s plan was the better plan. Because this is how He would bring down Absalom. Hushai sent word to David to warn him of the events.

2 Samuel 17:

2 Samuel 17:14 NLT

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

1. The Hidden Will

2. The Revealed Gospel

Today as we explore this passage I will only discuss how the Lord’s Sovereignty sometimes works in the mysterious. He is not absent neither is He obvious. But this is why we will never be shaken… Jesus is Lord. This is the beauty of the Gospel.

Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world cause us to despair when we in unbelief lose hope in the sovereignty of the Lord, it will be the power of the spirit of the Lord that will remind us that we can hope in the Lord no matter what we can or cannot see.

I. The Hidden

- He is not absent neither is He obvious.

A. As Christians today, we must be confident that God is in control. If we are confident in it, then though His will be invisible or hidden while all around us comes crashing down, we can live with it. Right? Watch the invisible hand of God here.

B. Ahithophel is giving Absalom some advice and it was good advice.

1. Ahithophel will select a sizable body of troops and pursue David immediately.

2. He will strike while David’s people are tired and exhausted, terrifying them and driving them off in a rout (v. 2a).

3. Ahithophel will execute only David (v. 2b).

4. With David eliminated Absalom will receive the loyalty of David’s supporters, who will have no reason to continue the conflict (v. 3).

5. He will present them to Absalom as a wedding like gift.

C. Now this is a great plan. At least per our author. Why in the world would he ask Hushai what he thought of it? Ahithophel is the wisdom man. And not only did he get advice from a man he may not have fully trusted, he even told him Ahithophel’s advice. He should have just asked what he should have done with the situation, but instead he gave him the advantage by giving him the whole story. He set him up.

D. He shot holes in Ahithophels plans. The first thing… he had the audacity. He said that Ahithophel was wrong in this matter. This kind of advice is what Ahithophel was known for. It is what he was good at. It is almost like saying that Michael Jordan was wrong about something in basketball.

E. Hushai goes on to use something that sometimes seems to be non-existent in our world today… it is something called logic. Ever heard of it? David was a mighty general… the best there ever was and you are going to sneak up on him? You’re not even gonna find him. And his men? Ishbaal killed 800 men at one time. Abishai killed 300 men with a spear. And Benaiah killed a lion in the snow. You are gonna take 12000 men against them? And with all of this loyalty, do you think you are gonna just kill David? You are gonna have to kill all of them before they will let you kill David. Nonsense. This is folly. You cannot just march up to the gates of Mordor with the one ring and kill Sauron only? Nonsense.

F. And now past logic, let’s use some caution. Look man you are not prepared for this. What happens if David ambushes you and you lose some men at the outset? It will cause fear in the ranks and the reports in Jerusalem will only confirm and strengthen what they all know. David is the man! Not a good idea.

G. Davis, there’s a difference, you know, between audacity and stupidity.

H. But here is the big thing… Hushai appeals to Absalom’s vanity and arrogance. Yes, his pride. You know… your father and his men are mighty. Ahithophel might not be on it, but you are. You are not stupid. You are wise… And here we go. The invisible hand of God.

I. You bring together a large army. You bring all of Israel to You. And You, like your father, be the great warrior you are and lead the great army to victory. Ahithophel’s plan was to do it all for him, but you can do all of this for yourself.

J. This is why the gospel is an offense to some. The victory is accomplished by another for us, but that does not appeal to our own vanity. Yes our vanity. Better to win the victory ourselves. We don’t want to be saved, we want to save ourselves. This is what drives us to works righteousness. Vanity. And did you also know, just like Absalom, that giving us over to our vanity is how the Lord judges us? . Pride can be our demise? Yes.

The story is told of two ducks and a frog who lived happily together in a farm pond. The best of friends, the three would amuse themselves and play together in their waterhole. When the hot summer days came, however, the pond began to dry up, and soon it was evident they would have to move. This was no problem for the ducks, who could easily fly to another pond. But the frog was stuck. So it was decided that they would put a stick in the bill of each duck that the frog could hang onto with his mouth as they flew to another pond. The plan worked well--so well, in fact, that as they were flying along a farmer looked up in admiration and mused, "Well, isn't that a clever idea! I wonder who thought of it?" The frog said, "I did..."

K. Now Hushai appeals to Absalom’s desire for vengeance. This plan will not only bring you victory for yourself, it will eradicate all those who are disloyal to you. All of your enemies.

L. But here it is. The point of it all.

2 Samuel 17:14 NLT

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!

2 Samuel 17:

M. Ahithophel’s plan was actually the better plan. As we shall see. But he said it was the better plan? But look here…Now we know why Absalom did something foolish by asking Hushai, a man he might not have fully trusted, for advice. Now we see why he foolishly told Hushai the plan first. And now we know why he and his men were so enamored with the advice. We know this… the author shows us the invisible hand of God. He shows us that He is not absent neither is He obvious. This is why we will never be shaken. God is in control of all things.

Romans 8:28 NLT

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

N. It was the plan of the Lord all along. He desired to defeat the advice of Ahithophel and to bring disaster upon Absalom. This was not a huge neon sign, a sign from an angel, a glamorous display of divine characteristics, it was not a huge announcement with trumpets or fireworks. Yet it is the plan of the Lord. Yet because of our author, we know it was the Lord. Yes. See if Davis can help…

O. That may raise some questions for you. But remember: Yahweh’s sovereignty is not meant to give you philosophical problems but spiritual comfort. And the primary characteristic of his sovereignty in this passage is its hiddenness. There are no trumpets, no turmoil, no billboards or bumper stickers. No glitzy, frenetic commercials like car dealers blast out on television. Only this quiet text, this discreet aside (v. 14b). The plot against Yahweh’s king has gone to pot. Why? Yahweh had ordained it.

P. This passage is teaching us something important. These little conversations and plans no matter how private or insignificant, are still known and controlled by the Lord. There is no explaining why Absalom or his men did what they did. Why? Because the Lord ordained it. He is not absent neither is He obvious. This is why we will never be shaken.

O. Therefore, we must hold onto our trust in the Lord no matter what happens or whatever is happening all around us. We may not like what is going on behind the scenes, but it is that very thing that we can rejoice in. The Lord is in control. Though His workings and plan is invisible, yet it is still there. Many things may not make sense, but it is not about making sense to us, but about protecting us and fulfilling His promises to us. He is not absent neither is He obvious. This is why we will never be shaken.

P. Do we believe it? Think about it today. Is there something going on in our lives that we are questioning whether the Lord is working behind the scenes? Are we concerned about it? Are we worried? Lots of changes happening in our society today. Lots of concerns about the future of our country. Lots of anxiousness about what is going to happen in our own personal future. What are we going to do in life? What are we gonna do about circumstances in our lives? There is much we are occupied with. Yes we all are. But do we believe that the Lord is at work, even though we may not see it? Or do we lose hope in unbelief?

Q. In this passage, we see the Lord’s work. All of them did not maybe know what was all going on. It is there even though it was hidden. Do we believe He is there even though He may be hidden? Do not lose hope today family… He is not absent neither is He obvious. This is why we will never be shaken.

Or do we lose hope in unbelief?

R. There is so much we do not see, but we know that it is there. Harry Emerson Fosdick was a national radio personality, a teacher and preacher in the early part of this century. He once did a sermon entitled, "Why I Am A Theist." He said that when he was a boy, he would look out the window and watch the branches and leaves on the tree move. He would sense the wind blowing, and he put it together. He concluded that it was the moving of the branches that he could see that caused the movement of the wind that he could not see. But he explained that when he grew to adulthood, he understood it differently, discovering that it was the wind he could not see that moved the branches that he could see.

So it is that this great, invisible God is as real as anything else we count to be reality. Invisibility makes him no less real, no less powerful, no less present. He's like the wind--the wind that blows where it pleases and chooses, the wind that makes things happen. He makes things happen. He is close; he is not distant.

S. He is close he is not distant. So why do we despair? Is it unbelief. Yes. But Shane I do know that God can do the amazing. Yeah I know. Our unbelief is not the unbelief that God can… it is unbelief that He will. It is not that we struggle to believe in God, it is the struggle to believe that God…. That God is going to be good to us. This is the problem. Is it not?

II. The Revealed Gospel

- Christ lives in you.

A. Unbelief is the serious issue we face today when it comes to our concerns in life. We need to see how this is a paralyzing weakness for us. Not only that, but the actual beginning of leaving a trail of disaster and tears.

B. I once knew a woman who fell into unbelief in the goodness of God. Her family fell on financial hardship and she fell into despair. No matter what I told her, she said that she prayed and prayed for God to help, but he did not and now she has no confidence that He is going to help them. I said don’t go down that road…you will doubt the goodness of the Lord. And she said… it’s too late already. From that day on… I watched as their family slid into more and more despair and desperation as they ruined friendships, relationships, opportunities, and aid into utter ruin.

C. Rest in the peace that the Lord has it all under control. Think of all that you are concerned about… it is all under the Lord’s control. We do have a good God. But in sin all that happens to us, brings us to murmer, to grumble, to complain, and to despair. This is what the Israelites did in the wilderness.

D. Oh they knew that the Lord exists… after what they witnessed in Egypt, they knew He was real. So why were they judged for unbelief? Because they did not believe that the Lord was a good God. They believed He was real, but did not believe He was good. “What…the Lord brought us out here to kill us. We were better off in Egypt…lets go back.” In other words… Why did the Lord make us Christians and allow this bad stuff to happen to us. My life was better before I became a Christian. Let’s go back.

E. Everyone… I do not care who, believes that God exists. The issue is rebellion. It’s not that we don’t believe He exists, we don’t believe He is good. There are no atheists, just rebels!

F. Sin and the pattern of this world cause us to question the Lord and His goodness. And we all struggle with it. If you are not a Christian, there is struggle with sin. If you are a Christian then we struggle with remaining sin. But the answer to us both… the Gospel. The wages of sin is death, but we will find life and life more abundantly in Christ and in Christ alone.

G. Christ did in essence what Ahithophel wanted to do for Absalom. He wanted to do it all for him. And he wanted to present the men as a bride returning to her husband. Christ wants to do it all. And He is calling to be reunited with His bride one day. For His glory. For our salvation. Today… let not our arrogance stand in the way. There is no way we can save ourselves. We needed to be saved. We could not die for our sins, we die because of our sins.

H. But Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures… He became sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of… He came into this world to seek and save that which was lost. He is not absent neither is He obvious. This is why we will never be shaken.

I. If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Yes… Salvation is here. Salvation belongs to the Lord. He is not absent neither is He obvious. This is why we will never be shaken.

J. Sure we did not see the Lord change our hearts, but we know He did. We did not see the Lord change the hearts of those around us, but we have a good idea that He did. Sure our foundation is sure, even though we cannot see it. But our kingdom will never be shaken. Even though we may not see why…We know Jesus is our firm foundation. He is not absent neither is He obvious. This is why we will never be shaken.