PERSONAL JOURNAL:
SIN ( 2 Samuel 15:4 ): Although not to the extreme of a revolt like Absalom, I have said/done similar to what he did here, Father. I too have tried to point people to me as their leader instead of supporting, encouraging, and strengthening the leader You appointed above me, Father. I have used similar deceptions in my past to make people think more of me than those You’ve appointed above me, Father. Please forgive me for acting like Absalom at random times throughout my life, Father. Help me to always remember this lesson so that I do not become a deceiver again like Absalom.
PROMISE ( 2 Samuel 15:13-14 ): I find Your promise being spoken through this messenger here. The promise was that You have anointed David as the God-sanctioned king of Israel and that You would never remove Your favor on him. It doesn’t mean he wouldn’t face a little turmoil here-and-there. It doesn’t mean his entire family would be safe and have Your favor as he does. It doesn’t mean You wouldn’t punish him every so often. It just means that he will be king for a long time under Your favor. The messenger was put in-place, I believe, to protect David in this moment of revolt from Absalom who has obviously gained an evil spirit since rape of his sister by his brother whom he murdered afterwards. You are always placing pieces in-place to allow Your mission and the journey You have David on to continue.
ATTITUDE ( 2 Samuel 15:25-26, 30-31 ): Although David is flawed like I am, he truly does have an attitude of spiritual need. What I mean by this is that no matter what is going on around him, he seems to need to get Your approval, Your wisdom, Your discernment, through just about everything he does in his life. I need to work on this attitude in my own life. I often try to just do things on my own because I think it’s the right thing to do. For all I know, however, that thing I’m doing, albeit not a sin, could be something that deviates me slightly off of Your path for my life, Father. Please help me to continue to grow in my attitude of spiritual need, Father. Help me to remember to go to You through ALL things and not just what I feel like going to You for in the moment.
COMMAND ( 2 Samuel 15:9, 27 ): Although not necessarily a command from You in the scripture directly, I do feel Your presence pulling me to this word twice in this scripture. David says to “go in peace” and “return in peace” to two different people. His focus, however, is peace in these statements. Just like you do not want me to, David does not want these men to go back to Jerusalem with anger on their hearts. At the same time, You have commanded me on many occasions to not harbor hatred nor anger in my own heart, Father. I have a tendency to dip into anger and pride, yet You keep reminding me that this is not how You want me to behave. Help me to go in peace in my own life, Father.
EXAMPLE ( 2 Samuel 15:30-32 ): David provides such an amazing example here. When there is a revolt and turmoil in his home city which he is king over, where does he decide to escape to? Well, to You, Father! In these verses, You tell us that David is climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives, which is “where he used to worship God.” When chaos was brewing around him, he still maintained a God-focused heart and clear enough mind to know that he needed to go to where he felt Your presence the strongest—Mount of Olives. When I’m going through something, I need to remember to seek You fully and if I’m not finding You through the chaos, then I need to clear my mind and presence of all distractions by going to wherever I feel Your presence the strongest. Such a great example to live by!
*DAILY NOTE: Sorry this took so long for me to complete my journal today, Father. I have been really distracted all day after the long weekend and late night last night. Regardless of how long it took me to complete the journal today, the lessons through todays scripture was a great one nonetheless. You always know how to speak to me and when. Thank You for continuing Your great works in me, Father, and continuing to show me Your grace and love no matter how inconsistent I can be at times.
EXPAND TO READ: GENERAL NOTE FOR MY QUIET TIMES
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