Wed.’s Devo - Two Different Things

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9
Joab was David’s commander in chief and right hand man. He was faithful to David but also very tricky and manipulating. He had been in charge of Uriah’s death so that David could have Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. He was well trained in getting what he wanted. He saw that David was mourning his relationship with Absalom so he got a woman to act out a similar situation. It reminds me of what Nathan did but the difference was Nathan was led by the Lord and Joab was doing what he thought was best. Those are two different things.
The lady’s story did get David’s attention and he let Absalom come back and live in the area but he refused to see him. I’m not sure what David meant to accomplish by doing that because it only worked against him. After two years, Absalom had had enough of rejection and after trying to make an appointment with Joab unsuccessfully, he decided to get his attention by burning down his field. It worked; Joab got him an audience with King David.
David met with Absalom but it only gave Absalom more power to exalt his own kingdom. He used his good looks, availability and charisma to sway the hearts of the people. When he felt he had enough followers, he went to Hebron and pronounced himself king.
David knew enough about Absalom to know he better flee. He left 10 of his concubines to watch over the kingdom. Many of his servants went with him. A man named Ittai had just arrived in Israel because he had been exiled from his homeland of the Philistines. David told him he could stay if he wanted to, but he chose to go with David. He became the leader of David’s 600 men.
Absalom is a type of an anti-christ. We can see the attributes of Satan in Absalom’s life. He was self-motivated, a schemer, self-promoting and a usurper. David had the heart of Jesus. He was forgiving, humble and wise.
In John, Jesus finished his prayer and took his disciples across the Kidron Valley to an olive grove. If you have ever been to Israel you will be taken to this grove and shown the olive trees that produce a leaf that is speckled with red, like drops of blood. It is the only place on the earth that produces this leaf. It is truly a sign.
This is where Jesus was arrested and Peter, in his zeal, cut off Maichus’ ear. It doesn’t tell us in John, but in Luke, it tells us that he touched his ear and healed him (Luke 22:50). That same night Peter denied knowing Jesus. He stood up before a a detachment of soldiers, some officials from the chief priest and Pharisees to cut off the high priest servants’ ear only to cave before a servant girl.
This reminds me of how strong and empowered I feel when I am tangibly in the presence of the Lord and how quickly I forget in the everyday trials of life. Jesus was just as present with Peter when he stood next to him as when he was separated from him. His presence is ever present with us too.
Jesus made it clear that they were not in control. He was drinking the cup his Father had given him. God was in control. He was not about to be murdered, he was about to lay his life down. Those are two different things.
Lord, help us to have your perspective in every situation. You are in control.