Read: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15
David met with his army and appointed generals to fight Absalom. He divided his army in three groups lead by Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He told them, in the hearing of all his troops, not to kill Absalom. They begged David not to fight since if he died, their efforts would be in vain. He agreed and stayed home.
They fought in the forests where the forest killed more men than the sword. David’s troops won the first day and 20,000 men died. During the battle, Absalom met some of David’s troops so he ran for cover but his hair was caught in the thickets. His donkey ran out from under him but he hung in the tree by his hair. What a sight! His vanity had become his downfall. One of David’s men ran to tell Joab and Joab came and killed him. and let his men finish the job.
When David found out that Absalom was dead, he was sick with mourning, stealing the victory from his men and leaving them in shame. Joab went in to David and talked some sense into him telling him that if he didn’t go out and thank his men for laying down their lives for him, they would all leave him.
David did go out and sit at the gate and all came to hear his words.
Those that had fought for Absalom fled to their homes. They met also and discussed whether to bring David back to be their king again.
In John, the followers of Jesus were having a similar conversation. What would they do now that their king had died and all hope had been lost? Mary went to the tomb as soon as she could after the Sabbath to find that his stone had been rolled away. She ran and told Peter and John. They found the tomb open and saw the linen wrappings that had been around Jesus just lying there. John understood that Jesus had risen just like he said he would.
Mary was outside and as she looked in to the tomb, she saw two angels sitting where they had laid Jesus’ body. The angels asked Mary why she was weeping. She told them it was because someone had taken Jesus’ body. When she turned to leave, Jesus appeared among the flowers. Mary thought he was the gardener at first. She asked him about Jesus’ body and when he called her name she knew he was Jesus. She ran to hug him but he told her that he hadn’t ascended to his Father yet. She was to go and tell the disciples what she had seen.
That night as they were all together in hiding, Jesus appeared among them. He showed them his hands and his side and they were filled with joy. He breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. He also told them that if they forgave anyones sins, they would be forgiven but if they didn’t forgive them, they wouldn’t be forgiven.
Thomas wasn’t with them, which makes me wonder why. When they told him they had seen Jesus, he told them that he would have to see him for himself before he would believe. He got his opportunity eight days later when Jesus appeared among them again and called Thomas out. Thomas then believed.
It is so easy to be discouraged when our expectations are not met. Our ways and thoughts are not the Lord’s many times, but we can be sure of this - His plan is so much higher and so much better. God always brings life out of death. We have to be born again - raised from the dead to walk in a new life.
Lord, put your thoughts in our heads and hearts and let us wait patiently for your manifestation on the earth.
No comments:
Post a Comment