Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. But the king said, “He must go to his own house; he must not see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king. n all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. Whenever he cut the hair of his head-he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him-he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard. Three sons and a daughter were born to Absalom. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she became a beautiful woman. Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face. Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come. Then he said to his servants, “Look, 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. Then Joab did go to Absalom’s house, and he said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you and said, ‘Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!” ‘ Now then, I want to see the king’s face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.” So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.
– 2 Samuel 14:23-33
Devotion
The dysfunction in David’s family continues. Joab brought Absalom back to Jerusalem, but David would not see Absalom for two more years. Absalom forced Joab’s hand and demanded to meet with David. David agreed to meet with Absalom, but their relationship still had a long way to go. David was not truly ready to forgive Absalom, and Absalom was not truly repentant, so the cycle of sin continued. Both David and Absalom have some rough days ahead. They will become bitter enemies and many lives will be ruined in the process. They had the chance for real reconciliation and they let it slip away.
The Big Question
Which relationships in your life need reconciliation? Are you willing to forgive others just as God, through Christ, has forgiven you? How can you take the first step? Will sin be your master, or will you surrender your life to the One who gave it all for you?
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.