Fri.’s Devo - The Cup of Suffering

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9
Joab knew that David longed to see Absalom but just couldn’t break through to act on it so Joab devised a plan to help him. He hired a wise woman to present her case similar to David’s so he could see it from a different perspective. David needed to see a picture of forgiveness and second chances.
He got the message and agreed to let Absalom come back to Jerusalem but he was never to me into his presence. That was not forgiveness; that was a dangerous compromise.
It backfired on David, because Absalom used his access to the people to gain popularity and deceitfully stole the hearts of the people away from David. He did this for four years and when he thought he had the support of the people, he asked David if he could go to Hebron to fulfill a vow he had made to the Lord. David let him go, not knowing Absalom was going to proclaim himself as the king. Absalom took 200 unsuspecting guests with him.
When Absalom got to Hebron he sent secret messengers to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against David. He told them that as soon as he blew the ram’s horn, they were to proclaim him as the king of Israel. Many others joined him. Some of the ones who didn’t agree, ran back to Jerusalem and told David what was happening. David gathered all his people and 600 men and they fled on foot. He left his concubines to look after the palace. There was a man named Ittai, a Philistine who had been exiled from his own country. He had followed David during his days of running from Saul and the 600 men were men under him. David told him to go back and live peacefully in Israel but he refused. He told David that he would follow him even to death.
In John, we see the power Jesus had. They came to arrest Jesus and when he proclaimed who he was, they fell to the ground. They had no power to arrest Jesus, he willingly gave up his life and allowed them to take him because he knew this God’s plan to bring salvation to the world.
Peter, in his zeal, drew a sword and slashed off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. Jesus just reached down and picked it up and put it back on. He was in total control of the chaotic situation. He is also in total control of our chaotic situations.
Funny that when Jesus asked who he was he answered, “I am he.” When Peter was asked who he was, he said, “I am not.” Peter’s confession would drastically change once he was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Meanwhile, Jesus was led to his mock trial before the religious leaders. He was questioned and abused all night.
Both Jesus and David gave up their kingdoms so that God might build a greater kingdom built on truth.
Lord, thank you that you loved not your life unto death but willingly drank the cup of suffering that your Father gave you so that we might drink the new wine of the Holy Spirit and be filled with joy.