The Chips Are In His Hand

557 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 15:13-16, “Now a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom." 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee; or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword." 15 And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands." 16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. (2 Sam 15:13-16,) This just seems so out of character for David. What happened to the little boy who ran at Goliath and took him down? Now, he hears a rumor about Absalom's revolt and the first thing he says is “let's get out of here!” Then we are told that he leaves ten women behind to “keep the house?” Well, David, why don't we just pack up everything and head to “mamby pamby land!” What's going on here? Well, there's no need to over-analyze the situation. This is just how it happened. This was how David responded, and his response would set up the fulfillment of the judgment spoken against him by Nathan after the incident with Bathsheba. Remember what the Lord said back in 2Sa 12:11 "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.” Do you think that David's actions were governed by his free will? Do you think that he was thinking, “I need to flee Jerusalem and leave some wives behind so God's judgment against me will come to pass? I've got news for you...God doesn't need our help in deciding when He will carry out judgment. And this incident should serve as a reminder to us that God's will advances when and where He pleases. He can step in whenever He feels like it. Pr 21:1 says, “ The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” If He can do it to the king's heart, He can do it to mine and yours.” Therefore, let us seek to follow Him, trusting that the chips are in His hand and He will cause them to fall where He may.