Friday, April 25, 2014

The Amazing Love of a Father (2 Samuel 17 – 18)

The past couple of days I have read about how Absalom (David’s son) did all he could to overthrow his father as king. Part of me was wondering how he could do that to the man who raised him, his own father! Today as I came to the close of the story I became painfully aware of something. This is also a reflection of what we do with God!

Absalom started his quest by giving the people of the nation a false idea of who his father was. He spent 40 years building false ideas about the King, and portraying himself as a caring, understanding man who would do a better job.

I could not help but think about how often we as God’s people many times give those around us a false idea of what God is truly like! When God is not running things in life the way we think they should be run, we often throw “pity parties” that seem to suggest we think we know a better way and God is not fit to be King of our lives!

We see from God’s Word how Absalom tramples to the ground any thoughts of love and respect for the King in his efforts to pursue his own vendetta. I see this portrayed in our own lives in two different ways.
Firstly, we often personally trample down any thoughts of love and respect for God in our pursuit of accomplishing our own dreams and goals. As we become more and more involved with fulfilling our own lusts and dreams, we will find that they gradually, bit by bit push our relationship with God to the side.

Second, we can also affect the way those around us view God by the way we interact and respond in our relationship with Him. If we live our lives be a “lukewarm” Christian, will those around us be encouraged to seek God as their own personal Father and King of their lives?

The story ends with an all-out battle for the throne, which, of course, Absalom not only lost, but forfeited his life as well. Yet the King, his father, mourned deeply for him, crying out that he wished he could have died in the place of the simple, arrogant son.

How often the same happens with us! We will actually battle with the Lord for first place in our lives! For the right to go, or do, or say whatever we want. In the end, if we do not yield ourselves to Him, we will end up lost, caught up in the snares of the world, just hanging there is an open target for the enemy. (Just as Absalom was caught up in the trees by his own hair, hanging there is an open target for his enemies.)

The sobering truth is, even as David loved and grieved for his son, even after all he did, so God loves us, and grieves for us when we refuse His love and leadership in our own lives. Wow! What an indescribable love!

There may be some of you reading this that have never experienced the blessing of that Amazing Love. That’s okay! There is nothing so simple or rewarding as accepting Christ in a personal way. Think of it as easy as the A, B, C’s!

A – First of all, we need to realize and Admit that we are sinners in need of the Savior, and that there is no true good or righteousness in us.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” – Romans 3:10

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” – Romans 3:23

ALL sin, even the tiniest stretch of truth, is enough to separate us eternally from God and damn us into the lowest pits of hell. There is NOTHING we can do in our own strength to re-attach that separation.

            B – Secondly, we need to Believe that Jesus Christ was sent by God His Father in love, into this world to save sinners.

“But God commanded his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe that in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” – John 3:16 – 17

Jesus Christ lived a perfect sinless life on this earth, but as He trudged up the hill to Calvary, EVERY sin of EVERY person; past, present, and future, was placed on Him. He took upon himself the burden so great and vile, His Father, the God of all that is holy and righteous, could not even look on Him. As Christ hung on the cross and died, He died for the sins of all mankind. How great a love God demonstrated to us, that He would send His ONLY Son to die for OUR SINS.

“Knowing this, that our old man (our old sinful self) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” – Romans 6:6

            C – Last but not least, we are to Confess our sins to Christ, repenting of (to turn fully away from) our past life of sin and service to self, and accepting Christ as our Savior. Through His blood, he washes are grimy, sinful souls as white as the freshly fallen snow. Just as the snow covers the black, natural dirt on the ground, Jesus covers us with His blood so that all God sees when He looks on us is the pure whiteness of the righteousness of Christ.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in my heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believe it unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:9 – 10
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that Gloria, let him glory the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30 – 31

            If you have accepted Christ as your personal savior, it is also important to confess that He is now Lord of your life and your personal Savior to others. If you are not already a member of a strong, Bible – believing church, your first step should be to find and join one as soon as possible. While a relationship with the Lord is fulfilling in itself, joining a Body of local Believers will enable you to get encouragement and doctrinal assistance as you grow in Christ.


Note: If any of you have been encouraged and/or come to Christ via this article, I would love to know! Please drop me a line so I can rejoice with you and be praying for you! If you are interested in learning more about Christ and what He has done for you, and all He offers in a life – long relationship with Him, please contact us via our family ministry email:

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