Read 2 Sam 16
Why is there so much jealosy in the Body of Christ? Satan's lure is to make us want to be seen, important, heard, honored, even if we have to belittle someone else to get there. That is what Ziba did. David had made him Mephibosheth's servant. Ziba's name means "appointed". He was appointed to serve Mephibosheth. The only problem was Mephibosheth was lame and the lame were not held in high esteem so neither was the servant. Ziba saw his opportunity to put Mephibosheth down and exalt himself and he took it. He came out and "saved the day" with bread, fruit, and wine for David and his men. David appreciated it, but when he asked about where Mephibosheth was, Ziba lied. Do we ever get away with our lies no matter how white? No. He got a temporary reward....Mephibosheth's land.
Next David meets a very honest man named Shimei. There is no pretense in this man. He hates David and lets him know why and why he thinks this is happening to David. None of it is good or true. One of David's men, Abishai wants to take his head off but David stops him. David has had a lifetime of lessons on not taking matters into his own hands. He is not about to throw them away on this fool.
Meanwhile, back at the palace, Absalom and his followers enter Jerusalem to reign. God slips Hushai into Absalom's trust so David has inside intelligence set up. Absalom's counselor advises him to go into his father's concubine to show the world who is in control. I hate to tell Absalom but God is in control! It all boils down to this thing called "control". We want it but God wants it too and since He knows the future and the plan it would behoove us to give it to him. But, it is always a struggle, more like a death. May we all lie down and die today.
1 comment:
I would have called you, but I laid down & died this morning...
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