O Absalom, My Son, My Son!

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O Absalom, My Son, My Son!

No matter what their age,  children are always  in the hearts  of their parents.     Parental love  does not just “go away”.     Whether the children are good and loving  or wayward and rebellious,  the parents’ love and concern  is always foremost  in their hearts.

It was that way  with King David and his son,  Absalom.     The whole series  of events leading  to Absalom’s death  are recorded  in 2 Samuel chapters 13 through 19.     Surely,  they are stories of sin unchecked  in many of the characters.     Feelings were hurt — hatred seethed  for years — jealousy and arrogance  purposely ignored the given will  of God —  and so,  life goes on,  even as it does  in the people  of today.

Despite the goodness and faith  in many of the characters,  there was horrific sadness  in the end — a sadness  that would never really go away,  even though it was masked over.     The gist  of the story  in the end  is that Absalom was planning  to kill  his own father,  King David,  and take over as king  of Israel.     King David,  in his desire  to save as many lives as possible,  fled Jerusalem.     In the battle  between Absalom’s soldiers  and King David’s soldiers,  Absalom got his head stuck  in a large oak tree  while riding his donkey.     The donkey left him hanging  in the tree,  and one of David’s men killed him — even though David  had given orders  to protect the rebellious Absalom.

When King David learned  that Absalom was dead,  he could do nothing but cry,  and cry,  and cry  for his beloved son.      2 Samuel 19:4 records,

The king covered his face  and cried out  with a loud voice,  “O my son Absalom,  O Absalom,  my son,  my son!”

Even though Absalom  had become totally evil  in his intent,  his father loved him  and had great sorrow  over his downfall.     Nobody wants  to see their son fall  into such evil ways  and face such consequences.

But,  God experiences the same depths  of sorrow  over His children.     When Jesus was preaching,  He faced many hateful  and rebellious religious leaders,  who were out  to kill Him — just as Absalom was out  to kill his loving father.     The depths  of God’s love  for each of us  caused Him  to send Jesus  to be our Savior  from all sin.     That awesome love  of God  did not move the evil hearts  of the religious leaders,  who had no intention  of repenting  of any  of their sins.

Jesus — God Almighty — mourned  in deep sadness  over His rebellious children.     His mourning was not only  for the Israelites  of that day,  but for everyone  in the world today,  who refuses to repent.    In Matthew 23:37  Jesus grieved saying,

O Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  who kills the prophets  and stones those  who are sent to her!     How often  I wanted  to gather your children together,  the way a hen gathers  her chicks  under her wings,  and you were unwilling.

God loves  even the people  who kill the preachers He has sent  to save them  from their sins.     Yes,  God’s love gets totally wasted — like David’s love  was wasted  on Absalom.     Those “unwilling” people  will have to face  their own judgment  in the end,  as poor Absalom had  to face his.     But,  God’s love  will go on

The question remains.     What will we do  with God’s extended love  for us?     Will it be wasted  on us?

As we humbly turn  to our heavenly Father  in repentance,  asking for His forgiveness,  we can be very sure  of His love enfolding us  to His breast.     Realizing the depths  of God’s love  for us  in Jesus Christ,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord Jesus,  blessed be Your name  for Your love,  and faithfulness,  and mercy.     Lead us to live  for You.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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