An Unhealthy Reunion
2 Samuel 14 • Sermon • Submitted
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“Of all the trials of life, the most difficult to bear are those that come from our own family...because of our failures. “Warren Wiersbe...
Intro: So today we continue our look at David’s dysfunctional family…Nathan the Prophet told David that one of the penalties of his sin would be that His family that would know the sting of violence…and last week we saw that in high definition
Intro: So today we continue our look at David’s dysfunctional family…Nathan the Prophet told David that one of the penalties of his sin would be that His family that would know the sting of violence…and last week we saw that in high definition
Intro: Today we continue our look at David’s dysfunctional family…Nathan the Prophet told David that one of the penalties of his sin would be that His family that would know the sting of violence…and for the last few weeks, we’ve seen that in high Definition
Recap: Last week we saw Absalom (One of David’s son’s) kill in cold blood Amnon (Another one of David’s sons) in revenge to what Amnon did his sister Tamar…Now Obviously what Amnon did to Tamer was sinful and should have been punished, Absalom’s actions against Amnon were just as sinful
And what was David doing in the midst of all of that? Nothing
What did he do about Absalom…nothing
What did He do about Amnon…nothing
He should have punished Amnon and brought Justice for Tamar, but instead he did nothing
This was David’s great sin as a parent he should have done something, but instead he did nothing…just like Adam
He should have punished Absalom for what he did to Amnon bu instead he did nothing
David was guilty of the doing nothing…just like Adam
David was guilty of the doing nothing…just like Adam
Absalom has been hiding out in Geshur which about 85 miles away, and it’s been 3 years since he’s seen his Father or even been back to Jerusalem
(Prep) Now today we’re gonna see him reunited with his father but not in the way it needed to happen…because there was a sin issue that needed to be dealt but it doesn’t get dealt with
Themes: We’re gonna 2 things as we walk through this passage…the power of manipulation…and importance of Justice
Chapter 13 ends with Absalom running from Jerusalem to Geshur, Which was about 85 miles away and He’s living in exile with his grandparents
So let’s go...
1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart went out to Absalom.
2 And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead.
3 Go to the king and speak thus to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
So here you have all the players of this Chapter
You have Joab - David’s gifted yet complicated Nephew/Captain he’s loyal when he wants to be…yet complicated…and at times quite devious
You have David - Father and King who’s heart is longing after his exiled son
You have Absalom - The exiled Son who’s living off of the radar out of the reach of his Father
You have this woman from Tekoa - All we know about here is that she’s a good actor, and she’s wise
Here’s the picture - Joab who’s been with David for a long time now, see’s that the king is still longing for his Son, so he’s decided to take the matter into his own hands and mend this estranged relationship between a father and a son…Which in and of itself is not a bad thing…
Joab who’s been with David for a long time now, see’s that the king is still longing for his Son, so he’s decided to take the matter into his own hands and mend this estranged relationship between a father and a son…Which in and of itself is not a bad thing…
But theres 2 issues here
But here’s the issue:…theres really 2 of them His means of recalculation would be to emotionally manipulate David - In his solicitation of this women he says things like “Pretend to be a mourner” v.2 and “Behave like a women who’s been mourning many days for the dead” v.2 and then it says in V.3 “So Joab put the words into her mouth”
1. Though his intentions were good his methods were manipulative - He essentally hires an actor to emotionally manipulate David and Joab says “Pretend to be a mourner” v.2 and “Behave like a women who’s been mourning many days for the dead” v.2 and then it says in V.3 “So Joab put the words into her mouth”
App: Anytime we use manipulation to accomplish our purposes we are in the wrong
Here’s the picture: Though Joab’s intentions may have been somewhat good, his methods were bad
App: Anytime we use manipulation to accomplish our purposes we are in the wrong
App: Anytime we use manipulation to accomplish our purposes we are in the wrong
Before there can be true reconciliation there had to be justice - Remember Absalom had committed murder, and to not address that is to not truly reconcile at allApp: Have you ever had an issue with someone? you know it’s there, and they know it’s there, and your even trying to make out like it’s not there…but is it there? of course it’s there
Before there can be true reconciliation there had to be justice - Remember Absalom had committed murder, and to not address that is to not truly reconcile at allApp: Have you ever had an issue with someone? you know it’s there, and they know it’s there, and your even trying to make out like it’s not there…but is it there? of course it’s there
2. Before there can be true reconciliation there had to be justice - Remember Absalom had committed murder, and to not address that is to not truly reconcile at all
App: Have you ever had an issue with someone? you know it’s there, and they know it’s there, and your even trying to make out like it’s not there…but is it there? of course it’s there
But Joab is going to orchestrate a scenario that will emotionally manipulate David and eventually accomplish what he wants to see done…
4 When the woman of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and paid homage and said, “Save me, O king.”
5 And the king said to her, “What is your trouble?” She answered, “Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead.
6 And your servant had two sons, and they quarreled with one another in the field. There was no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him.
7 And now the whole clan has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Give up the man who struck his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed.’ And so they would destroy the heir also. Thus they would quench my coal that is left and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the face of the earth.”
So this is a really sad story…but you have to remember that this script is not real it’s completely made up…but the events in this are real events…This story sounds awfully similar to the Story of Cain and Able, and this Concept of someone being appointed to bring about retribution on someone who murders his bother in cold blood is a biblical concept as well know as the Law of the Avenger of blood () and (Duet 19:11) and her actual request is for David who is the king to stop this Avenger of Blood from killing her guilty son
Now you have to remember that this script is not real it’s completely made up…but the events in this are real events…This story sounds awfully similar to the Story of Cain and Able, and this Concept of someone being appointed to bring about retribution on someone who murders his bother in cold blood is a biblical concept as well know as the Law of the Avenger of blood () and (Duet 19:11) and her actual request is for David who is the king to stop this Avenger of Blood from taking killing her guilty son
But remember…It’s all fake
But remember…It’s all fake
But’ she’s really good at the art of manipulation…and theres 5 different ways she tries to manipulate David…and we’re gonna make note of them because they’re around today...
She claims to be a victim
She claims to be a victim
Think about this…
She dressed like a Mourner she claims to be a widow v.5
she claims to be the mother of a dead son v.6she claims that her whole clan has risen up against here v.7She tells him that if her other son dies she’ll have no-one left on this earth v.7Whats she trying to gain authority though drawing sympathy
She claims to be the mother of a dead son v.6
She claims that her whole clan has risen up against here v.7
She tells him that if her other son dies she’ll have no-one left on this earth v.7
Whats she trying to do? She’s trying get what she wants by appealing to David’s softer side
App: This makes me think about our day and age - I think as a whole, there is a shared collective sense of shame over the way minorities have been mistreated in the past and rightly so, but what’s happened in our nation is that because of the mistreatment of minorities in the past…the minorities of the past, have become the moral authorities of the present
App: This makes me think about our day and age - I think as a whole, there is a shared collective sense of shame over the way minorities have been mistreated in the past and rightly so, but what’s happened in our nation is that because of the mistreatment of minorities in the past…the minorities of the past, have become the moral authorities of the present
And whoever finds themselves belonging to the most oppressed groups is given the loudest moral Voice
Illustration: So if you are an Old straight white guy you won’t have as loud of a voice on matters of race and sexuality then a Gay Black Women…even if what she says goes against what the bible says…
Illustration: So if you are an Old straight white guy you won’t have as loud of a voice on matters of race and sexuality then a Gay African American Women…even if what she says goes against what the bible says…
Illustration: So if you are an Old straight white guy you won’t have as loud of a voice on matters of race and sexuality then a Gay African American Women…even if what she says goes against what the bible says…
Intersectionality - And whoever finds themselves belonging to the most oppressed groups is given the loudest moral Voice
And this is the danger of letting Sympathy alone guide you…
And this is the danger of letting Sympathy alone guide you…Thats why Solomon would say…
App: Victims should be loved and supported…but being a victim alone should not make anyone the Moral authority on anything…that right belongs to God and his Word
Thats why Solomon would say…
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
So this woman is playing the victim…and it’s working...Look David’s response…
This woman uses this deeply emotional heart string tugging story to create a venerability in David so that she can accomplish her desired result
4 When the woman of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and paid homage and said, “Save me, O king.”
Story telling is such a powerful tool
Thats why Jesus told Stories
But not every storyteller has Jesus’ heart or intention
This woman uses this deeply emotional heart string tugging story to create a venerability in David so that she can accomplished here desired result
Illustration: And I think about that in our day and age this such a present thing - Have you ever stoped and notice that entertainment and media have an enormous effect on the shaping of our society
It starts at youth “According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, an average American youth will witness 200,000 violent acts on television before they reach the age of 18.
App: And I think about that in our day and age this such a present thing - Have you ever stoped and notice that entertainment and media have an enormous effect on the shaping of our society
It starts at youth “According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, an average American youth will witness 200,000 violent acts on television before they reach the age of 18.
Illustration: Think about Disney Movies - Usually the Moral message is “Break free from the cultural norms, follow your heart and feelings and that will lead you to figure out who you really are…
Think about Disney Movies - Usually the Moral message is “Break free from the cultural norms, follow your heart and feelings and that will lead you to figure out who you really are…
Think about Disney Movies - Usually the Moral message is “Break free from the cultural norms, follow your heart and feelings and that will lead you to figure out who you really are…
All this to say this “Story telling is powerful…so if your gonna doing it, as a christian you have a responsibility to tell the right story”
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
All this to say this “Story telling is powerful…so if your gonna doing it, as a christian you have a responsibility to tell the right story”
All this to say “Story telling is powerful…so if your gonna doing it, as a christian you have a responsibility to tell the right story”
Look David’s response…
8 Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.”
9 And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “On me be the guilt, my lord the king, and on my father’s house; let the king and his throne be guiltless.”
10 The king said, “If anyone says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall never touch you again.”
11 Then she said, “Please let the king invoke the Lord your God, that the avenger of blood kill no more, and my son be not destroyed.” He said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”
2 Samuel 14:8-11
So Joab’s plan works…Her neediness, her skillful story telling brings David to a place where not only does he listen to her request, but he gives an oath that He will do it
All of this was meant to move David to make an emotional decision instead of the right decision…
Allen Redpath says this “He guaranteed safety at the expense of justice, and immediately the farsighted woman captured him in her trap.”
Allen Redpath says this “He guaranteed safety at the expense of justice, and immediately the farsighted woman captured him in her trap.”
Allen Redpath says this “He guaranteed safety at the expense of justice, and immediately the farsighted woman captured him in her trap.”
So David’s taking the bait, but now she has to role out the 2nd part of her plan…and she’s used sympathy…now, she’s gonna use a different tactic
She tries to pressure David
She tries to pressure David
12 Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” He said, “Speak.”
13 And the woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again.
13 And the woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again.
She’s obviously talking about Absalom here...By her saying “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God?” it’s really her saying “Don’t you see that the whole Nation wants this, the whole nation wants Absalom back”
She says “Don’t you see that the whole Nation wants this, the whole nation wants Absalom back” and we’re gonna see in a little while, that was spot on true…why? because they still in them the same thing that drew them to Saul…Absalom was good looking
Why? because they still in them the same thing that drew them to Saul…Absalom was good looking
“Don’t you see that the whole Nation wants this, the whole nation wants Absalom back” and we’re gonna see in a little while, that was spot on true…why? because they still in them the same thing that drew them to Saul…Absalom was good looking
25 Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
26 And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight.
25 Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
She’s using national pressure as a means of manipulation to accomplish what she wants to accomplish through David…
She’s using national pressure as a means of manipulation to accomplish what she wants to accomplish through David…
Here’s the problem - This is what the nation wanted…but the nation was wrong…
App: Just because the masses want something doesn’t make it right
App: Just because the masses something doesn’t make it right
Paul says “let God be true and everyman a Lair”
She uses David’s’ words against him
She uses David’s’ words against him
2 sam 14:
13 And the woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again.
She uses David’s words against him
She uses David’s words against him
She says to king David “I’m glad you think it’s a good thing for my son to be released….if you feel that way about my son…what about your son!” She throws his words back in his face…But remember in both of these circumstances…theirs a justice issue that needs to be addressed
13 And the woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again.
She says to king David “I’m glad you think it’s a good thing for my son to be released….if you feel that way about my son…what about your son!” She throws his words back in his face…But remember in both of these circumstances…theirs a justice issue that needs to be addressed
She says to king David “I’m glad you think it’s a good thing for my son to be released….if you feel that way about my son…what about your son!” She throws his words back in his face…But here’s the problem Absalom had committed a sin, and it was David’s job as king to deal with that first before anything else
How many times has that happened to Christians…especially when it comes to Sin Issues
Illustration: They says to us “But I thought your God was a God of Love!” or “You know what the bible says “Judge not least you be judged” and they start taking God’s word…they twist it…and they throw it back at us
Illustration: They says to us “But I thought your God was a God of Love!” or “You know what the bible says “Judge not least you be judged” and they start taking God’s word…they twist it…and they throw it back at us
First of all when people say things like this about a clear and blatant sin Issue, what you realize is that they don’t really God’s nature, God’s Holiness, or what God requires from his people
App: Thats why it’s important to know Gods’ word for yourself, in context so that that when people try and throw God’s word at you…you can clearly say…we’ll this is what it means
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 cor 6:21
1 cor
So she tries to throw David’s word back at him, and yes because David tilted a little…he looks like a hypocrite…but
So she tries to throw David’s word back at him, and yes because David tilted a little…he looks like a hypocrite…but
here she uses another tactic
here she uses another tactic
She becomes philosophical
She becomes philosophical
14 We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.
So she says to David “David let me tell you a little bit about Life, You only live once…we are all like water spilled on the which cannot be gathered up, But God will not take away life…so just do it, God would want you to do it” And at first read through that might sound inspirational and right…but the truth is…it wasn’t right…God will take away life if there’s a sin issue that needs to be dealt with
2 sam 14:
So she says to David “David let me tell you a little bit about Life, You only live once…we are all like water spilled on the which cannot be gathered up, But God will not take away life…so just do it, God would want you to do it” And at first read through that might sound inspirational and right…but the truth is…it wasn’t right…God will take away life if there’s a sin issue that needs to be dealt with
So she says to David “David let me tell you a little bit about Life, You only live once…we are all like water spilled on the which cannot be gathered up, But God will not take away life…so just do it, God would want you to do it” And at first read through that might sound inspirational and right…but the truth is…it wasn’t right…God will take away life if there’s a sin issue that needs to be dealt with
Think about this:
When Aaron accommodated the people’s desire to build and worship a golden calf in - 3000 people died
When Balam told the king of Moab how to entrap the children of Israel - by sending their moabite daughters for them to marry () for this sin 23000 people died
When Israel sinned by complaining against God about the lack of food and water God sent fiery serpents among them causing many to Die ()
Here’s the point: Though this woman sounded right…she wasn’t right according to God’s word…
App: Who are the philosophies these days? who are Aristotle's and the Plato’s of today? - Celebrates, You tube stars, Athletes, Musicians…and it seems like they all have something to say….but if it’s not aligned with God’s word…it’s incorrect
App: Who are the philosophies these days? who are Aristotle's and the Plato’s of today? - Celebrates, You tube stars, Athletes, Musicians…and it seems like they all have something to say….but if it’s not aligned with God’s word…it’s incorrect
Notice…This women is really pushing for reconciliation at all cost without delay…and she’s saying God would want that - But here’s the thing about God…though his heart is for Reconciliation, but he will never Ignore Justice
Notice…This women is really pushing for reconciliation at all cost without delay…and she’s saying God would want that - But here’s the thing about God…though his heart is for Reconciliation, but he will never Ignore Justice
Illustration: There’s a lot of people who are confused about that - if you were to asked them “Why are you saved” they would respond with “because Jesus loves me”…and though that’s true…thats not why your saved…We’re saved Because Jesus Satisfied God’s justice by dying on the cross
Here’s the point: When it comes to our reconciliation…God’s justice wasn’t ignored…It was satisfied through Jesus
Here’s the point: When it comes to our reconciliation…God’s justice wasn’t ignored…It was satisfied through Jesus
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
And this was God’s intention from the beginning2 Cor 5:21God has made away for the banished to come back to God…through Jesus
God has made away for the banished to come back to God…through Jesus
So we see here that there’s not much a concern for justice…Then She uses the oldest manipulation tactic in the book
She uses flattery
She uses flattery
2 sam 14:15-
15 Now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid, and your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.
16 For the king will hear and deliver his servant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the heritage of God.’
17 And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The Lord your God be with you!”
She says here “Not only are you the one in charge, but you are like the angel of God capable of discerning the what’s right an wrong on your own…your so smart”
v.15-17
She says here “Not only are you the one in charge, but you are like the angel of God capable of discerning the what’s right an wrong on your own…your so smart”
Appealing to mankind sense of pride and self love has been a tactic Satan has used, even from the beginning - () “God knows if you eat of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil your gonna be just like him”
App: He still does it today, He want’s you to think that your smart enough, and save enough, to be the captain of your own ship
Be carful of overthrusting yourself
Somehow David figured it out…
2 Sam 14:18-24
18 Then the king answered the woman, “Do not hide from me anything I ask you.” And the woman said, “Let my lord the king speak.”
19 The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered and said, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, one cannot turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has said. It was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your servant.
20 In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth.”
21 Then the king said to Joab, “Behold now, I grant this; go, bring back the young man Absalom.”
22 And Joab fell on his face to the ground and paid homage and blessed the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has granted the request of his servant.”
23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 And the king said, “Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence.” So Absalom lived apart in his own house and did not come into the king’s presence.
Now, Joab gets what he wanted, to the pint where he falls on his face and says “Thank you thank you thank you” because in his mind he had just moved in the best interest of the people of Israel…but what he really did was provide an opportunity for an unrepentant, cold hearted narcissist to come back to the palace unchecked and unhindered…and this guy would lead a rebellion that would eventually overthrow King David
Now, Joab gets what he wanted, to the pint where he falls on his face and says “Thank you thank you thank you” because in his mind he had just moved in the best interest of the people of Israel…but what he really did was provide an opportunity for an unrepentant, cold hearted narcissist to come back to the palace unchecked and unhindered…and this guy would lead a rebellion that would eventually overthrow King David
This same man who’s on the ground groveling over Absalom coming home, in 4 chapters will be gathering 3 spares together thrusting it though his heart
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
25 Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
26 And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight.
27 There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
25 Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
26 And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight.
27 There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
There’s a reason physical appearance is so important…It’s because people are drawn to the way someone looks…and we read in v.13 that the people loved Absalom, and evidently he was pretty in to himself as well…
He weighs his hair - You have to be a special kind of “into yourself” to way your hair your hair…but you know what’s crazy..this hair he was so proud of…would essentally be the death of him
App: If your not carful with your strengths…they can become your downfall pretty quickly
2 sam 14:
28 So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king’s presence.
David overwhelmed by emotion, brings Absalom back…and for 2 years, has an opportunity to deal with him…but he does what he did to Amnon, he doesn’t address it, He sweeps it under the rug…He ignores it…and no doubt Absalom saw it as David condoning his sin as we’ll see…
29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come.
30 Then he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
2 sam 14:29-
In the original language, this phrase is read “Uh-Oh” For some time this story has looked like the story of the prodigal son…but there was one different between that son and this son…humility
31 Then Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
32 Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent word to you, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.’ ”
2 Samuel
And here we see the problem with David never dealing with Absalom’s sin…Absalom began to feel like he was Justified in what he did…
33 Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.
In the next chapter we’re gonna see a young man, unrepentant, running through the kingdom like a wrecking ball in his pursuit of his Fathers crown…But notice that right here…He fakes humility and submission…But there’s no reality to it
And whats the last thing we read in chapter…David Kisses Absalom - The king offers Absalom forgiveness without dealing with his wrong…This was an unhealthy reunion
And next week were gonna see that this unhealthy reunion won’t last
Conclusion I believe this passage calls us 3 things
Know God’s voice
Know God’s voice
In this world where millions and millions of dollars are spent in an attempt to manipulate you…you have all of these voice coming at you…know God’s voice
How can you know truth? through God’s word
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1
Don’t forfeit whats right for whats easy
Don’t forfeit whats right for whats easy
David’s heart obviously wanted to be reunited with his son, the nation wanted him to be reunited with his son…David’s captain wanted him to reunite with his son…so the easy thing was to do it…but the easy thing wasn’t the godly thing
David ignored to issue for the sake of the relationship…that hurt him and it will hurt
God didn’t do that with us, there was justice issue, he didn’t ignore it, he satisfied it in Jesus
Never ignore justice for the sake of friendship
“What kind of forgiveness is that? I will tell you: it is the kind we want from God, but we never get. “O God, forgive us, but please let us go on doing what we are doing! Don’t demand of us repentance! Don’t demand a broken heart! Don’t demand from us a turning away from sin! Lord, please forgive us, for we need to be forgiven; but don’t, please don’t expect any change!” God refuses those terms altogether.”
Sin must be dealt with
See the gospel in this passage
See the gospel in this passage
The bible tells us that this world has a king, and his heart longs for us…but there was a there was dividing issue that required judgment…Sin...God will never ignore sin…He sent his son Jesus to die for our sins on the cross so that our issue could be taking care of
2 cor 5:18
No relationship will succeed if there is an underlying issue left unaddressed
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.