On Being Loyal to the True King
But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back? (II Samuel 19:10)
II Sam. 18:31-19:10; Ps. 3, 119:2, 10, 37; Pr. 23:26; Rom. 12:1-2
What Is God Saying?
Despite his shameful rebellion against his father, King David, and his ambitious efforts to seize the throne, Absalom was loved by David until the end. David's grief for the son he loved and by whom he was hated, found expression in one of the most touching laments ever recorded, ‘Oh my son, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom. Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’ In that anguished cry, there was the natural reaction of a father grieving over the loss of a son, but there was also the cry of a father with a stricken conscience. He failed his son. He gave love without discipline. He was overwhelmed by the sadness in the loss, and by regret for his failure as a father.
Absalom was a rebellious son and an avowed enemy. He was a handsome figure with a dynamic personality, able to command the allegiance of important leaders in Judah. His end came when his mule went ‘under the thick boughs of a great oak and his head caught hold of the oak,’ leaving him dangling ‘between heaven and earth’ but still alive. Joab, acting in the King's best interests, dispatched the rebellious son, even though David had ordered them to be gentle with him. Many in Judah had been supporting Absalom. Now they asked, ‘Why do we not bring the (true) king back and give our loyalty to him?’
How Does This Apply To Us?
That is a question that may well rise from hearts that have been drawn away from the Lord by that which may appear exciting, attractive, and novel. They have been caught up in the popularity of persons and causes that are opposed to a Christian's consistent walk. As the leaders of Judah were ashamed, so we will find that nothing less than a life of loyalty, obedience, and gratitude brings peace or satisfies our hearts. Isn't it time to make a break and take a stand? Isn't it time for us to bring the King back to rule? Isn't it time to bring ourselves back to the King?
Pray With Me
O Lord, Absalom was not alone in his rebellion against his father. Others were deceived. Others were led astray. They would not accept the Lord's anointed and in his place, they vowed allegiance to a disobedient and ungrateful son. They chose to follow him to his inevitable and tragic end. David was Your choice, Lord. He was their true king. His was the right to rule and his were the paths of victory. Yet, even in the face of obvious defeat, disillusioned and chastised, they would not own David again as king over all. In the same way, I have to admit that there is lethargy and confusion in my soul. I have not completely moved to Your camp. I have not been fully renewed in my mind, fully cleansed in my heart, nor fully brought into line with God's will. Today may Christ the Lord be returned to His rightful place—now, not tomorrow, yet forever and forever.
To the praise and glory of Jesus Christ Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
In prayer, we kneel before our Lord and King. In prayer, we find the peace the world can never give nor take away. In prayer, we find the road to real triumph and joy. Ignatius of Loyola wrote, "Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest, to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Morgan P Noyes, Prayers For Services, New York; Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934, p. 118).
