DCLM Higher Everyday 8 October 2023 — David Mourns A Rebellious Son
DCLM Higher Everyday 8 October 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — David Mourns A Rebellious Son
Topic: David Mourns A Rebellious Son
Text: 2 Samuel 19: 1-7
1And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
2And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
3And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
5And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
6In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
7Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.
Key Verse: “And it was told Joab, Behold the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom” (2 Samuel 19: 1).
Message
King David, during this period was faced with a great tragedy, losing one of his sons, Absalom, who had attempted to dethrone him. Moved by the loss, David as a loving father, mourned for his son saying, “O my son Absalom; my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son” (2 Kings 18:33b)! As the news of David’s action was brought to Joab, the army commander, he was dissatisfied, because he had risked his life and that of the army of Israel to end the rebellious action of Absalom. He urged the king to come out and speak comfortably to the people or be ready for the worse.
David, though a warrior, had a soft heart. Remember his lamentation when King Saul and Jonathan died in battle (2 Samuel 1:17-27). Absalom’s untimely death should serve as a great lesson to all, especially youths who are position-seekers, to drop their inordinate ambitions and seek God’s will in all things. Another important lesson is the fact that failure to honour our parents comes with dire consequences.
Quote: Seek God’s will in all things
Challenge: Every rebellion has its season of harvest.
Prayer for today: Lord, deliver me from all acts of rebellion.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
