And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (2 Sam. 15:2-6)
Absalom continued the practice of deceit he had begun when killing Amnon and avenging Tamar. Having avoided any semblance of justice or even an examination of his methods and purposes in the death of Amnon, Absalom felt free to move against David as king. Not able to kill the king outright and take his place, he maneuvered himself into a place where he could manipulate the thoughts of the people, especially those who came to the king to achieve justice. Absalom told them what they wanted to hear and what they would have received if he were a judge and the king’s deputy. Absalom appealed to their need for resolution, impatience, desire for justice, or any other imagined failing of the king in their matters to endear himself to the people who came to David for judgment. This set up the conspiracy to take the kingdom and force David to abdicate rather than fight his own son. David trusted God to fight this battle and work all things for good, including making the counsel of Absalom’s advisors and restore him to the throne according to the will of God.
Christians should trust that God will take care of all things and seek His counsel when faced with those who seem to be working things against us. Regardless of how subtle they are in turning some people against us and our ministry, we must go to God when faced with enemies and opposition. First, we must understand from the LORD whether this is of Him and then trust His plan to accomplish His will for us and our ministry. We should be about our Father’s business and trusting Him to work in us to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach the word until all have heard and whosoever will may repent and receive Him by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary unto Salvation. Opposition to us and our ministry may come and we are to let God fight our battles because He alone is our Judge and Peace. We will do more harm for the Kingdom and many will lose if we fight on our own. We are to pray for our enemies and those who despitefully use us and let God establish our path. He goes before us and will never leave us nor forsake us and we can rest in Him who is our strength, our Creator, Redeemer, and King.
Until God is done with us He has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet