Wed.’s Devo - The Sorrow of Defeat will Lead to Victory

Read: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13 Absalom asked Ahithophel for advise first and then Hushai. Ahithophel told him to go after David at once and attack him while he was tired and discouraged. Hushai told him to wait and summon all Israel together and then attack with a full army. Ahithophel’s advise was the best, but Hushai’s advise is what Absalom chose which was God’s plan. Hushai had bought David time to get far away and rest and regroup. Hushai sent Zadok and Abiathar to tell David Absalom’s plans and to warn him not to stay by the Jordan but to flee into the wilderness. *** When Ahithophel saw that Absalom took Hushai’s advice over his, he went and hung himself. *** David and his men continued and came to Mahanaim and was met by Shobi, Makir and Barzillai. They brought provision for David and all his men. Shobi was the brother of Hanun who had cut off the beards of David’s ambassadors when they came to give their condolences for the loss of their father. Shobi must have disapproved of his brother’s actions and was now making amends to David. Makir is believed to be the brother of Bathsheba. Barzillai was an older elder who was very wealthy. He was not in good health himself which made his appearance and gifts really special to David. *** Mahanaim had been the seat of Ishbosheth’s government. He was the king who was appointed after Saul by Joab. Now, it is his town that reaches out to David in his time of greatest need. This shows the love and respect David had of the whole land. *** In John, Jesus had been crucified and was close to death. Everything he said and did was a fulfillment of scripture. He had referred his followers to the song which begins, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” which is Psalm 22 to us. In that Psalm it describes Jesus’ event on the cross to a tee. It refers to his garments being distributed among them and gambled for. It speaks of the spiritual warfare he went through and even the fact that his bones were out of joint, and in Psalm 34:20 it says they were not broken. Psalm 69:21 says that they gave him gall and bitter vinegar when he was thirsty. *** Zechariah 12:10 says that they will look upon the one they pierced and mourn for him as one mourns for his only son. Everyone mourned in their own way. Joseph of Arimathea got permission to take Jesus body and place it in his own tomb. Nicodemus came with 75 pounds of spices and helped Joseph wrap Jesus body. The women would come later with their spices. *** Lord, thank you for the cross. Thank you for all the pain and suffering you went through to gain the victory over the penalty of sin and death. We also mourn your death but rejoice in your victory.