Read: 2 Samuel 13-15
Focus Verse: “Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he desires ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.” (2 Samuel 14:14).
Devotion: When Absalom was banished for killing his brother, David was tasked with a choice. Should he lift the exile for his beloved son? So in his grief stricken state, David is convinced to bring Absalom home. Once home, Absalom plots a coup to take the kingdom from his father. The story of humanity repeats itself cyclically. When God makes a way to forgive and restore our desires are to ignore and fight. Like Absalom, why do our tendencies so often reflect around taking for ourselves? Absalom asks the king why he brought him home, and claims that he would have been better left in exile. Like Israel in the wilderness, Absalom’s restoration shares the common sin of not recognizing God’s deliverance as good news. All God wants is to be a way maker so that those who are banished don’t have to remain that way. Christ is the way, so will you choose to stay banished?
Pray: LORD I choose Christ! Help me live into that choice every single day, never mistaking your deliverance as anything but good news. Amen!
Additional Scripture: “Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you.” (Ps. 55:22)