Is there someone you are estranged from? Perhaps, it’s time to not remain estranged from that person.
Absalom had been estranged from his father, since the death of his brother, Amnon. Joab, the commander of David’s army, knew David’s heart wanted to be reunited with His son. So he procured a wise woman, who is nameless, saying, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead.”(2 Samuel 14: 2)
After she acts this out, she then was to go to King David and share her pretend story of being a widow and mother of two sons, who are separated with one striking the other. She wanted to secure the family inheritance. She asks that the blame would be put on herself to spare his life.
David falls right into the trap and he grants her favor, not realizing this is a made-up story to bring conviction upon King David.
The nameless woman asks for permission to speak and says, “Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, for the king has brought back his banished son?
God does not take away life; instead, He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from Him.” (2 Samuel 14: 14)
David gets revelation that Joab conspired this story to make a point. So he tells Joab to send for his son, Absalom. He comes and lived in Jerusalem for two years without seeing the face of the king, his Father David. C’mon! Apparently, David didn’t want the reunion, at the time.
Absalom wanted to see the king and requested Joab to come to him twice, but Joab refused. So Absalom sends his servant to set Joab’s field on fire to get his attention. He gets his attention and Joab marches right over into Absalom’s house, who strongly requested to see his father, the king. Joab yields to his request and he lets David know his son wants to see him.
Absalom wanted either full pardon from the King or full restoration, but he gives no sign of repentance.
David summons Absalom to come to him. As he does, Absalom bows down with his face to the ground. “And the king kissed Absalom.” (2 Samuel 14: 33b)
- No matter what we’ve done, the King delights in kissing us and welcoming us into His presence.
- Our King devises ways to lead His children back to Him.
- The enemy uses divisive ways to lead God’s children away from Him.
- Discern the difference. (Shared from 2 Samuel 14, Paraphrased)
Jesus is devising ways to bring God’s children back. In the first half of the chapter, in our last reading, he encountered a demon-possessed man bringing him back to his senses, and back to a life of being delivered.
In the second half of the chapter, he’s touching Jarius’ young daughter who was ill and passed away. Before he gets to her house, He meets the woman with the issue of the blood and she touches His garment and is set free.
When he arrives at Jarius’s house, he only takes Jarius, his wife, Peter, James, and John with Him into the room of the girl.
- All are able to receive a miracle, but only a small number will believe and participate in them.
- God will choose whom we are to walk with when walking into miracles.
- Some don’t even believe in them.
- “A house divided cannot stand.” (Matthew 12: 25) (Shared from Mark 5: 21-43, Paraphrase)
God’s devising a plan for Daniel to dream and receive prophetic visions. “Daniel has another vision concerning the end.”(Daniel 8: 17) This vision concerns the appointed end times. He’s was so overwhelmed, “I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the King’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.” (Daniel 8: 27)
- Walking in our God-given calling requires a cost.
- Kingdom business is not about busyness.
- Discern what business you’re called to, so busyness (burnout) doesn’t rob you of your assignment.
- We are not called to everything. (Shared from Daniel 8, Paraphrased)
There is an appointed time that God will use to bring forth His purposes and plans upon the earth. He knows the end from the beginning. The first and the last, for He, is the Alpha and the Omega, the names of who He is–the Beginning and End. He is in all things and rises above all things.
Who can describe our Great God; who can understand His ways? He rules and reigns. He delivers, sets free, heals, and restores. He commits, He devises ways for people to come, come to know Him. Come forth in His name.
Even in devastation, He devises a plan for us to have a way out. Stay close to His heart. Stay close to His ear and know there is coming a time for the King to Roar–to deliver.
For He is high and lifted up for all the world to see.
He is high and lifted up King of Majesty.
All people, tribes, and nations will see His glory.
Yet, He is able to see your need, just one for His one, as He sees His plan, your plan unfold.
Your need is as important and is part of that plan–His master plan. He’s devising, He’s conceiving, He’s inventing as we are investing. He’s contriving, so no need for striving.
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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