Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”
The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”
The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you-O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
– 2 Samuel 18:31-19:4
Devotion
David had just received word that his son had been killed. Absalom had many weaknesses and made plenty of mistakes, among them murdering his half-brother to avenge the rape of his sister, and plotting to usurp his father’s kingdom. David had a reputation for not properly disciplining Absalom and even pampering him. David showed his deep love for his son by the way he cried out and grieved over Absalom’s death, even though it meant that he was now safe and the kingdom would be returned to his hands. Before we criticize David, we need to remember that he was a man after God’s own heart. We should be thankful that our Father in heaven hasn’t dealt with us according to our sins against Him. Warren Wiersbe, in his book Be Restored, described it like this: “In His grace, He gives us what we don’t deserve, and in His mercy He doesn’t give us what we do deserve. Jesus didn’t deserve to die, for He was sinless; yet He took the punishment that belonged to us. What a Savior!”
The Big Question
Have you accepted God’s forgiveness for your sins against Him and others? Have you ever been so wronged by someone you couldn’t forgive him or her? How can you truly forgive someone for hurting you deeply? (see Matthew 18:21-35) Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? Why not ask God for his help today and reach out to that person?
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.