Don't Give Place To Hatred

555 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 15:8-12, "For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, 'If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'" 9 And the king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, 'Absalom reigns in Hebron!'" 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city-from Giloh-while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number. (2 Sam 15:8-12) Well, at least we have a name for what Absalom is engaged in....it's a conspiracy, and it's getting stronger and stronger. He has already won many hearts over with his handling of the complaints of the common people in the gate. He has surrounded himself with an entourage with king-like trappings. And now he shows everyone how religious he is as he makes a big show of going to Hebron to make good on a vow. It was during this big show of sacrifices that he sends for a co-conspirator named Ahithophel. Ahithophel had become one of David's most trusted advisers as we read in 1Ch 27:33 “ Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion. 34 After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king's army was Joab.” That's a pretty impressive list of men who were named AFTER Ahithophel. He was an important man in David's chain of command. Although not specifically stated here, I think it is safe to assume that Absalom had been having conversations with Ahithophel about replacing his father as king. This invitation to join the conspiracy didn't just come out of the blue. We shall see that although Ahithophel was in David's close circle of power, he had a disdain for him, that even caused him to want to put David to death. Stay tuned for more of this Godfather like story and remember again in your own life. Don't give place to hatred! Ro 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

How's That Working Out For You

554 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 15:7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, "Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD. After forty years? Forty years of what? This cannot mean that Absalom waited a full forty years before he made his move. He was ready now! We need to go back further in time. Before we do, let's look at the significance of the number 40. The number forty in Scripture is associated with a time of probation, trial, or discipline. These periods are included in Scripture to cause us to pause and ask ourselves, “How's that working out for you?” After reading of the 40 days and nights of flooding in the days of Noah, we ought to ask, “How did the utter disregard for God working out for the world? When the Israelites were forced to wander in the wilderness for forty years, we ought to ask, “How did that lack of trust in God work out for them?” In Jg 13:1 we read, “Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.” Did you catch the word AGAIN? AGAIN, and AGAIN and AGAIN, we don't seem to learn! But it's not always bad! In the Days of Gideon when the people followed the Lord, we read, in Jg 8:28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.” How did following the Lord work out for you? This 40 year period spoken of concerning Absalom was likely 40 years after the people demanded that Samuel give them a king. And the question begs to be asked, “How's that “king thing” working out for you people? It's been a mess! It's a mess because we are sinners, and we are going to mess things up. Our only hope then is to turn to the One King who never messes up. Jesus. This same Jesus who spent 40 days in the wilderness facing every temptation known to man, and He withstood them all. How did that work out for us? It worked out extremely well for those who see that giving into a life of sin and not trusting Jesus is a recipe for disaster. Always has been and always will. So whenever you see that number 40 in Scripture, you might ask yourself, “How did that work out for the people? Then pay attention to the one that worked out best. Father, help us to trust You and Your Word. Father truly knows best.

More Godfather Similarities

553 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 15:1-6, “After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel." 3 Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you." 4 Moreover Absalom would say, "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice." 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. I am amazed at the similarities between this story and the Godfather. Even the opening scene in the movie is similar. In the movie a man comes to Don Vito Corlione asking for punishment to be meted out for his daughter's rapist because he was not getting justice from the proper authorities. (Isn't that how this whole mess got started?) Here we see Absalom surrounding himself with henchmen and fancy cars so he can look the part of the king. Imagine a motorcade of cars with henchmen obvious everywhere driving around Jerusalem. What do you think the people were thinking? They were thinking “this is a powerful man!” Having won the citizens of Jerusalem to his side. Absalom now seeks to find favor with the other tribes. He does it the same way the Godfather does. Unlike the king who delays his justice, Absalom grants favors and justice swiftly. Even sealing his promise of justice with a kiss to all who come before him. This is just so mafioso! It makes me want to see the movie and read the book! The problem with this style of justice is it always turns into one big unending violent mess. As followers of Jesus, as God's children we ought to be just people, but when it comes to meting out punishment for injustice. We ought to leave that in the hands of God. For He says, Ro 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

The Godfather Saga Continues

552 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 14:29-33, Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come. 30 So he said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire." And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom's house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?" 32 And Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent to you, saying, 'Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still."' Now therefore, let me see the king's face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me." 33 So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom. (2 Sam 14:29-33) Don't miss the “therefore” at the beginning of this passage. Remember, every time you see the word “therefore” in Scripture, you need to back up and see what the “therefore” is “there for.” In this case it appears that Absalom was getting itchy about the prospect of taking over the throne. We were told that 'In all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom.” He knew the people were on his side and after two years, he felt it was time to make his move. He sends a message to Joab hoping to set up a meeting with his dad in order to get clear the air once and for all over this matter of the killing of Amnon for what he did to Absalom's sister Tamar. Joab ignores the first message, and the second, so Absalom sends a mafioso type message, he torches Joab's barley field. Joab agrees to set up the meeting, and this just tells us how much Absalom's popularity caused even the mighty warrior Joab to do his bidding. The meeting is set up and David kisses his son. The symbolic kiss indicates all is well as far as David is concerned. But Absalom wants a lot more. I tell you, this whole scenario has been reading like the “Godfather.” Revenge, violence, and a power struggle are marking the internal struggles of this family rather than grace mercy, and forgiveness. Col 3:12 says, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; It seems Absalom was lacking in all 5. How's it going in your family, church and otherwise? Father help us to be merciful, kind, humble, meek, and patient in all our dealings in the family.

Who's the Prisoner?

551 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 14:25-28, “Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head-at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him-when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king's standard. 27 To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance. 28 And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king's face. (2 Sam 14:25-28) Absalom, though forbidden to have an audience with the king (his father) apparently had the run of the town. Obviously he was a hunk. He was the Jewish Adonis! Eyes turned when he walked by. His head of hair was legendary, an afro that just wouldn't quit! Apparently this was a large part of his attractiveness. Such hair is praised in the Song of Solomon: Song 5:11 His head is like the finest gold; His locks are wavy, And black as a raven.” His family is even mentioned, which means that he was very much a part of the Jerusalem scene. He had three sons and a beautiful daughter.... a model citizen, with a beautiful family, and he was heir to the throne. Meanwhile, David, his father is in the presidential palace, avoiding all contact with his son, still harboring unforgiveness. Better send out for the pizza David, you wouldn't want to accidentally run into your son. Kind of makes you wonder....who's the prisoner? Who's enjoying life here and who isn't? And that's the way it is with unforgiveness. It doesn't have to be. God is in the forgiving business and HE wants you and I to be in it as well. Col 3:13 reminds us, “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Having trouble forgiving someone. Remember that it is God's will to forgive, and since it is His will, you can confidently ask Him to help you over the unforgivenss hurdle. He is able to release you from your self-imposed prison.

Stop Manipulating

550 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 14:23,24, “So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king's face. (2 Sam 14:23,24) This decision by David doesn't make sense to me. Absalom had fled to Geshur and stayed there for three years. To leave Geshur and return to Israel would be a death warrant according to the Law of the Avenger for he had killed his brother Amnon with pre-meditation. So on one hand David longed for his son and his safe return to his homeland, for he had already lost the first successor to his throne (Amnon) and now the next successor was holed up in Geshur facing execution should he ever set foot on the soil of his homeland. Nonetheless, Joab comes up with a plan to bring Absalom home, so that one day he will be able to succeed David. Apparently the idea of succession was David's primary concern, because even though Absalom was brought back under the king's pledge of safety. The king, forbade any contact between the two. You know, none of this happens if David deals with the crime of Amnon in the first place. Royal family or not, Amnon should have been punished according to the law of the land. Stop worrying about your precious succession David and let the Lord handle it. Or have you forgotten what God did shortly after the birth of Solomon? Nathan came to David and said, “his name shall be Jedidiah which means “beloved of the Lord.” (God had this whole succession thing already in His hand.) Meanwhile, David's job was to simply seek to live and govern according to God's Word. But he didn't and he continued to make mess upon mess, only to see God eventually work it out according to His plan anyway. Oh that we would learn to stop manipulating our circumstances and start trusting God. Let's seek to spend less energy on playing god, and more energy on drawing nearer to Him, trusting Him for the rest. God, give me the grace to trust You more.

You Won't Know Until You Ask

549- Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 14:18-22, “Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not hide from me anything that I ask you." And the woman said, "Please, let my lord the king speak." 19 So the king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?" And the woman answered and said, "As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant. 20 "To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth." 21 And the king said to Joab, "All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom." 22 Then Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself, and thanked the king. And Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant." (2 Sam 14:18-22) Here we have a picture of prayer. You don't have to pray alone, you can ask others to pray for you! In essence, this is what Joab has done through the widow. Picture this whole scene as the throne room of God, with David representing Jesus. If I would ask you to “pray for me,” I would be like Joab here and you would be the widow. When you pray for me, you bring me into the throne room with you! For whatever reason Joab was reluctant to bring his case to the king alone. Or maybe God was using this whole scenario to show us some biblical truths about prayer. The first truth we can learn from this is pray! Ask God! You never know, He may grant your petition! Jas 4:2b says, “you do not have because you do not ask.” Be persistent! Jesus speaking in Mt 7:7 encourages us to, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” And in Mt 18:19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” This last one is especially pertinent in this case because in context it deals with the restoration of a brother, and this is what the widow and Joab desired in the case of Absalom. So pray my brothers! Pray my sisters! You won't know until you ask!