Alexia Parker

Apr 13th, 2023 Absalom’s Rebellion by Lexi Parker

Today’s Passage – 2 Samuel 18 – 19 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

Second Milers also read – Matthew 25 – 26; Psalms 61 – 65; Proverbs 13

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 47:1

Read the “0413 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

In the verse I’d like to focus on, we’re at the end of Absalom’s rebellion against his father, King David. I’ll just briefly recap the backstory for anyone unfamiliar with this passage.

Back in Chapter 13, Absalom’s brother, Amnon, raped their sister Tamar, out of wicked lust. Though King David was upset, nothing had really been done to Amnon. Absalom had been plotting his revenge ever since. So, after two years, Absalom took matters into his own hands by planning a dinner with the king’s sons and having his servants murder Amnon when his heart was “merry with wine”. After his brother is murdered, Absalom flees.

After a series of events, King David forgives Absalom, and Absalom comes back home.
But his intentions were not of peace and restoration. He began stealing the hearts of the people of Israel, in plans to steal the throne. Right after King David hears this news, he flees with his mighty men.During this time, Absalom takes the liberty to disrespect his fathers throne in any way he can. King David knew Absalom would do whatever it took to follow through with this plan, including taking the life of his own father. But, David had a spy on the inside named Hushai, who acted as a servant to Absalom and devised a plan that ultimately led to the victory of David and his men taking back the throne.

So here’s where we get to the part that matters. In the heat of all of this, King David instructs the three men leading up the war teams (Joab, Abishai, and Ittai) to deal gently with his son.

“And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.” (2 Samuel 18:5)

So boom. The Battle starts, and in the next few verses, Absalom gets caught up in an oak tree. Hanging like a fish on a hook. A man sees this happen, and reports to Joab.

“And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.” “And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? And I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.” (2 Samuel 18:10 – 11)

The man replies with this.

“And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. Otherwise, I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.” (2 Samuel 18:12 – 13)

I can’t help but applaud this man for separating the hype of battle, and his own emotional investment, from what he was told by the king to do. And I get it, naturally, I am very much on the side of “off with their heads”, but that wasn’t the order. This man knew even though Absalom chose the wrong way, and soon would get what was coming to him; that didn’t mean he should take matters into his own hands. Even when those matters would even seem right according to human reasoning.

In application to our own lives, you may have every reason to blow somebody’s spot up, but remember child of God, the way you go about things STILL matter. This man chose to, despite what he might’ve felt, and might have been humanly deserved, follow through with the king’s order. He states that ten shekels of silver mean nothing when it comes to doing the right thing. It may all look justified in your mind, or even the mind of others, but there’s a way to slaughter your spiritual giants in life. Run it by God and see what He tells you. Even if you don’t like the answer, and it may seem the “weaker option” in your eyes, trust that God knows all things, and He’s got it under control. Let wisdom and discretion take hold.

“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16)

Posted in Devotions by Alexia Parker with 3 comments.

Mar 3rd, 2021 The Easy Things … by Alexia Morales

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 6 – 8 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 2 Corinthians 1 – 4; Proverbs 3; Psalms 11 – 15)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – SSPsalm 119:105

Read the “0303 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Remember Who Butters Your Bread,” and “Let’s Get Back to the Bible.”

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

“Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” (Deuteronomy 6:12)

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgements, which the LORD our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand:” (Deuteronomy 6:20 – 21)

I once heard one of my teachers say “The Christian life isn’t hard, life is hard.” She then explained what she meant. She was saying, here on Earth we have problems. They’re hard, they hurt, and they’re not pleasant to go through. But at the end of the day, the struggles don’t affect how good God is, and how good He is to us. Oftentimes, we lose sight of his sweet and tender mercies, and the new blessings he has in each day. We forget who He is to us. I don’t know about you, but when I get my eyes off of my problems, being a Chrsitain is easy. It’s easy to fellowship with the Lord, because He’s my best friend, He always wants to listen, and He always cares. It’s easy to look back and testify that He’s a great God, because I’ve seen him work in the most hopeless situations.

In this passage, Moses is telling the children of Israel to do some pretty easy things, in comparison to what God has already done for them, and is going to do. They were slaves in Egypt under Pharaoh, and God heard their cry. He led them out of Egypt, and promised a land “that flowed with milk and honey”, which was Canaan. God wanted to bless his children, and Moses reminded them of some things they should do upon enjoying this Promised Land. In application to our life today, these same instructions seem pretty easy, but it’s the simple things that we often completely overlook. Don’t get overwhelmed each morning with all of life, remember there are some sweet and simple purposes in each day. Stay faithful to them, and God will do the rest.

The Great Commandment is to love the Lord with all you’ve got, (verses 4 and 5) if we don’t have that down, everything is wrong. But, if this area is where it should be, we will be seeking to do things that please the Lord, because we are constantly in communion and communication with Him. This is one of our purposes each day, to have fellowship with the Lord. He’s our best friend, and he wants to hear from us, and not just once a day. Be sure to show up.
“Beware lest thou forget”.. The children of Israel are cautioned not to forget where they came from when they enter that blessed Promised Land. I know where I’ve come from. I didn’t grow up in church. I got saved when I was 17, and past mistakes and hurt have brought quite some baggage. But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. God has worked miracles in my life, He’s pulled me from some dark and low places, and I’ve seen his hand in it all. Don’t forget. Don’t grow discontent. That is the main tool the devil uses. Bring every thought into captivity, and line it up with God’s word. If it’s not pure or Holy, TRASH IT. Fix your mind on the things of God, and don’t forget His goodness.
Lastly, Moses challenges them to tell their children. To tell the younger generation of all the Lord has done. Where they’ve come from, and why they do what they do. Tell everyone where you’ve come from, and how the Lord changed your life. Be a witness, to the younger generation, and to all people.

Don’t forget these “easy” things, for they are some of the most important things.

“And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” (Deuteronomy 6:25)