Readings for today: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55
It’s hard for me to imagine how David must have felt. Running for his life from his own son. Knowing his son not only wanted to depose him but wanted to kill him. I can’t fathom such a scenario. Not only that but David had to know he bore some measure of responsibility for what had taken place. He refused to bring Amnon to justice. He refused to reconcile with Absalom when he lived in the city. His decisions helped create the very conditions under which a rebellion could rise up. I also wonder what kind of impact David’s crime with Bathsheba had on both his boys. What did they learn from his example? Did David ever sit down with them and share his pain and heartbreak over his sin? We will never know but it’s worth thinking about.
It’s also worth noting where David goes when he feels afraid. He goes to the Lord. He cries out to God. He rehearses what he knows about God over and over again. “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of thousands of people who have taken their stand against me on every side…Salvation belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people.” (Psalms 3:3-6, 8 CSB) I don’t think this means David is any less afraid. True courage is not the absence of fear. In fact, true courage is walking by faith even in the midst of your fear. True courage is keeping your eyes fixed on God even in the middle of the chaos of our world and David’s world is incredibly chaotic at this point in his life.
Last evening we met with some friends. We talked with them about a recent period of their lives where they were out of work and things got hard financially. It wasn’t easy for them. They experienced all kinds of anxiety and fear. But they kept walking by faith. They kept looking to the Lord. They found the courage to keep moving forward despite their feelings. And as they leaned on the Lord, their faith deepened. It was a powerful testimony. What about you? How are you looking to the Lord in your own life? Let the Psalms lift your eyes and heart to the Lord.
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 16-18