May 29

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Good Morning,

Today’s readings are: 2 Samuel 14:1 to 15:22, John 18:1-24, Psalm
119:97-112, & Proverbs 16:8-9

Today’s reading about David and Absalom is in my opinion one of the saddest
stories in the Bible. The truth is David messed up. In today’s terms, He had
a very dysfunctional family. David should have carried out justice when
Tamar was raped. David should have done .. So much more. And before all of
that we could list a whole list of things that David should not have done.
God’s prophecy through Nathan was truly being fulfilled.

Out of this tragic story comes this wonderful verse:

All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the
ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life
away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated
from him. 2 Samuel 14:14 (NLT)

Ultimately this was foretelling our salvation through the Blood of Jesus.
God devised a way for us to be brought back to Him. And it was a way He
planned before He ever created Adam.

But I think it also talks about daily life. For we are daily sinners living
with daily consequences of our sin. God devises ways to bring us back to
Him. And God’s primary way is to use His children. We are His ambassadors,
not only for the Gospel, but for His daily redeeming love. We are called to
be peacemakers to restore peaceful relationships.

Are there relationships that you can bring peace to? David surrendered
Jerusalem to Absalom in order to spare it the ravages of war. What would it
take to restore peace to the relationships in your life. What would you be
willing to give up, to spare ____________ the ravages of war.

Are you a peacemaker?

Dave

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