WISDOM SAVES LIVES! 

Posted on August 12, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“Wait a second, before we do this, can we stop and think about the outcomes this action will cause?  What if we…”  How many times have you heard one voice suddenly stand up in a heated committee meeting to declare a pause with words of wisdom delivered in such a way that it changed the whole course of thinking? The “new plan” offered by a quiet person from the back of the room often causes a momentary calm as minds are changed from “off with their heads” to “oh, I see what you’re saying.”
“That would be a better approach to solving our problem and ultimately accomplishing our real goal.”

I have been in many meetings of the mind such as these in my former professions as a leader and a follower.  The pause is welcome.  The pause with words of wisdom is God’s intervention.

King Saul was a Benjamite.  Since the death of Saul, the house of Benjamin had been a rival of David since he became king of Israel. Old jealousies and bitterness prompted Sheba, also a Benjamite, to call for a revolt against David. In doing so, Sheba hoped to take the monarchy by force and return it to the house of Benjamin.  Sheba was adamant and determined in his quest. He called upon the Israelites to follow him and rebel against King David. David, who had just defeated Absalom’s rebellion, put down Sheba’s rebellion as well—but it came about when a wise woman stepped forward just  before the bloodshed of hundreds with a better plan.  She convinced Joab and her city to give the head of Sheba to Joab, the commander of David’s army.

2 Samuel 20

Sheba Rebels Against David

Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share in David,
    no part in Jesse’s son!
Every man to his tent, Israel!”

2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.

6 David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.” 7 So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

8 While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.

9 Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.

11 One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. 13 After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites, who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he answered.

She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”

20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”

22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

David’s Officials

23 Joab was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; 24 Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 25 Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Has God called you to stand up and speak for him in the middle of chaos to offer His words of wisdom?  Fear not, God is with those who speak for Him.  Yes, it’s a scary thing to do but if it is God leading; He provides where He guides.  He gives us the words while calming the room by the power of His Holy Spirit.  He gives strength and wisdom to his servant prophets with ears of understanding to accomplish His will and purpose.  God prepares hearts with the softening agent of His Spirit to receive His message of wisdom and truth. That’s how God works! I seen with my own eyes and on occasion have been the one to  deliver His words while shaking in my boots!  HIS words, not mine!

INTERESTING TO KNOW—

“For the third time in the “David story,” a woman changed the course of events. Abigail was the first (1 Samuel 25), and the woman of Tekoa was the second (2 Samuel 14). Here in chapter 20, the wise woman called to Joab from the wall and assured him that her city was not in league with any rebels and therefore didn’t deserve to be attacked. Perhaps she was thinking about the law in Deuteronomy 20:10–16 requiring that a city first be given an offer of peace before it was attacked. When Joab explained that it was only Sheba he was after, she persuaded the citizens to kill the rebel leader and save the city. Sheba wasn’t a scapegoat, however; as a rebel against the king, he deserved to be slain. Sheba wanted to be head of the army, but instead, his head was thrown over the wall to the army.” –Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Study Bible

When God wants to change public opinion to conform His will; He will use those whose hearts are fully committed Him.  “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Yes, but God will sometimes use unbelievers in the process and details to accomplish His plan. We see many examples through His Word! Herod, Pilate, the religious leaders in Jesus’ day, as well as David’s life with wise women with a plan to stop needless bloodshed.  God intervenes in ways that is often beyond our thinking.  But know this above all—seek the wisdom of God.

To seek the wisdom of God, the Bible directs you to ask God for it, study His word, and fear Him. Specifically, James 1:5 encourages asking God for wisdom, as He gives generously. Proverbs emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear spoken of here means to be in awe of our God who created all, knows all and is in all. Additionally, seeking wisdom involves understanding God’s word and applying it to your life, which includes seeking knowledge and understanding from Him. Before reading God’s Word, we must first seek our God of the Word. Ask His Holy Spirit who lives inside us to guide us as we read.  God answers prayers like this—I’ve seen it and heart it with my own eyes and ears!

Wisdom defined are “skills for living.” If we are seeking to walk with God; we must seek His wisdom!  Makes sense, right?  “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6  “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 

God requires us to “seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8) 1 Peter 5:6 encourages believers to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” Other verses like James 4:10, Luke 14:11, Proverbs 22:4, and Psalm 25:9 also highlight the benefits of humility and the consequences of pride. See Philippians 2 for our Perfect Example of humility from Jesus our Savior and Lord!

Lord,

You are all we need, in truth more than enough, to be and do what you desire from us. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Continue to give us your wisdom throughout this day in all the details of our lives as we desire to do your will and purpose for your glory as well as our good.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CROSSING OVER WITH THE KING

Posted on August 11, 2025 by randscallawayffm

“I’m crossing over—who will go with me?”  The battles between Israel and Judah are ceasing for a time.  Absalom is dead.  David is grieving his son but knows he must carry on his work as God’s designated King of Israel.  David goes about the work to bring the two opposing groups of God’s people back together as one.  The term “crossing over” is mentioned often in this passage and is significant to me today.  It means much more than physically crossing over the river Jordan. Crossing the Jordan has become the line of demarcation of loyalty.  Are you crossing over with me as king or not? Whose side are you on?  With whom are you loyal to and trust with your life?  “I will provide for you when you cross over with me,” King David declares.

David took refuge in Judah when Absalom revolted against the king and his father.  While overly grieving his son, he is reminded by Joab to encourage those who were loyal to David in battle. This passage indicates how David made his gratitude known to all who were loyal to him.  David must cross over the Jordan with his family and all his stuff but first he knows that before returning to Jerusalem; David must reach out to bring those who supported Absalom with the purpose to bring them back into the kingdom of Israel. Unity is David’s new agenda.

When we are loving each other, serving with no thought of how it looks or what we will get from it; God’s love grows and matures in us.  Unity of the Body of Christ pleases God who gives us the power and the means to obtain this “Oneness” in Him.

2 Samuel 19

Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”

8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him.

Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.

David Returns to Jerusalem

9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom; 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

11 King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.’”

14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan.

Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”

21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”

22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.

24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”

26 He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”

29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”

30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”

31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.”

34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”

38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell, and Barzillai returned to his home.

40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.

41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?”

42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”

43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?”

But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Years of intrigue and intertribal conflict left Israel a deeply divided nation, and there was a desperate need for a strong display of unity and loyalty. God desires that his people be unified and avoid petty squabbles, arguments and fights over minor issues. 

What is our response?  We must focus on Christ who makes us One. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  Jesus unites us as the Body of Christ who saved us and set us free to love like He loves us! Jesus, our designated by God, King of kings and Lord of lords, was the embodiment of love, mercy, and grace which leads to unity of the Body—His church. Jesus taught, “Seek first God…” to acquire God’s Kingdom thinking with His purposes. God is the One who brings all together as one in Jesus, His Son!  Jesus demonstrated this unity with God. Jesus aligned all His thinking, being, and doing with God who told him exactly who to be with what he must do.

Jesus set aside his own agenda for God’s Will and Plan with humbled, willing obedience to God, the Father.  Jesus knew this “looking to the interest of others” would require sacrifice for His was the Sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus powerfully demonstrated God’s powerful, relentless love as Jesus took on the role of a servant, bending down low to wash the feet of his followers—all of them, even his betrayer, Judas! 

We serve a Savior and Lord who washes feet!  “Do likewise,” says Jesus.  This act of Jesus was the perfect example of love and service to each other.  When we love God, love each other, and serve with gladness; there is less time to grumble and squabble. 

A crisis will bring out the best in some people and the worst in others. As Jesus put it, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). 

Lord,

When we look up from arguments to look full into your wonderful face our minds see the foolishness of the trivial that blocks the view of all that is the majesty of You.  The things of earth do grow strangely dim when we truly focus on who you are. Our eyes open wider in awe of you as we suddenly see a glimpse of the glorious unity of Father/Son/Holy Spirit who loves us, works within us, with mercy and grace. Oh Lord, we are so petty in our thinking, please forgive us and set us back on the path to your glory righteousness. Remove all the obstacles that make us stumble.  Bring us into your blessed unity as we give all our hearts, minds, and souls to you.  Make your desires be ours.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

UNSHAKABLE, RELENTLESS LOVE

Posted on August 9, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Family ties truly bind us for life. No matter the circumstances blood is truly thicker than water when enemies rise up against our family members. “Blood is thicker than water” is a proverb in English meaning that familial bonds will always be stronger than other relationships. 

Historically, a similar proverb in German first appeared in a different form in the medieval German beast epic Reinhart Fuchs (c. 1180; English: Reynard the Fox) by Heinrich der Glîchezære. The 13th-century Heidelberg manuscript reads in part, “ouch hoer ich sagen, das sippe blůt von wazzere niht verdirbet“. In English it reads, “I also hear it said that kin-blood is not spoiled by water.” Jacob Grimm suggests that this saying, which is not read anywhere else, means that the bonds of family blood are not erased by the waters of baptism, and so the raven Diezelin will have inherited his father’s outlook despite having been christened. 

In 1412, the English priest John Lydgate observed in Troy Book, “For naturelly blod wil ay of kynde / Draw unto blod, wher he may it fynde.“

William Jenkyn referenced the proverb in its modern form in a 1652 sermon: “Blood is thicker (we say) then [sic] water; and truly the blood of Christ beautifying any of our friends and children, should make us prefer them before those, between whom and us there’s only a watery relation of nature.” 

As a former elementary public school teacher and later as a youth and family director; all forms of “family” came into view.  I observed that family produced a strong, unbreakable bond—even in abusive situations.  For example, a young boy, abused by his dad, would not testify against him. His comment, “But, he’s my dad.”  Some children carried heavy loads but the most resilient were those who continued to loyally love despite the circumstance life had given them.  Do not read that a child should stay in an abusive situation. I am not saying that, and in fact I was in a position to help children be removed from the home until parents could get the help they needed.  What I am saying is that the love between a child and a parent is strong and almost unbreakable in human nature.  There may be times of turmoil and disagreements but “they’re still our dad, mom, brother, sister…”

I think about the families who I have encountered in my vocations of service this morning when I think of the fractured bond between David and his rebellious son, Absalom. Absalom hated David, had little to no respect for his father, and arrogantly sought to take over the throne given by God to David. 

In revenge, Absalom murdered his half-brother, Amnon, who raped Tamar their half-sister. (2 Samuel 13) Absalom held a grudge and was bitter over the fact that David unknowingly allowed the rape of his sister, Tamar, when he fell for Amnon’s trickery that allowed it to happen. This is one messed up family! 

Absalom fought against his father in all kinds of ways, seeking to become the next king, demanding to get what he thought he deserved.  His arrogance, however, was repaid with complete humiliation on the battlefield.  Pulled off his mule, let to hang in a tree by his own hair; made him a perfect target for David’s men to finish him off. 

At the news of Absalom’s demise; David immediately grieved for his son, with a heart saying “if only I had died instead of you.”  Why?  Because, not matter what, Absalom was still the son of David who he relentlessly loved with an unbreakable bond.  It is God who teaches us to love like that.

2 Samuel 18

David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I myself will surely march out with you.”

3 But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”

4 The king answered, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”

So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands. 5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.

6 David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. 7 There Israel’s troops were routed by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great—twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.

9 Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

10 When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”

11 Joab said to the man who had told him this, “What! You saw him? Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt.”

12 But the man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’ 13 And if I had put my life in jeopardy—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have kept your distance from me.”

14 Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

16 Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them. 17 They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes.

18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

David Mourns

19 Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.”

20 “You are not the one to take the news today,” Joab told him. “You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off.

22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.”

But Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.”

23 He said, “Come what may, I want to run.”

So Joab said, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out to the king and reported it.

The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” And the runner came closer and closer.

26 Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, “Look, another man running alone!”

The king said, “He must be bringing good news, too.”

27 The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.”

“He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.”

28 Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise be to the Lord your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against my lord the king.”

29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.”

30 The king said, “Stand aside and wait here.” So he stepped aside and stood there.

31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”

32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”

33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The armies of David and Absalom fought each other, resulting in Absalom’s death and David’s mourning for his son. David returned to Jerusalem and reached out to bring those who supported Absalom back into the kingdom of Israel.

God invented family.  God desires that His people who form families be unified and avoid petty squabbles, arguments, and fights over minor as well as major life issues. David is revered as one the greatest kings in history; but he was not perfect as a husband or father; He was not the perfect example to follow for his sons and daughters.  Could the difficulties in David’s family been avoided if David had not given in to his lustful temptation of Bathsheba?  Was David too busy being king to be a father to his sons and daughters?  We look at the story and assume many judgements while trying to reason some of the messy outcomes of this family.  However, as we do, we must take the spotlight off the mistakes made and place it on the lessons learned.  Then we need to seek God and with His help; examine our own lives.

It’s not too late to pause, reflect, and listen as the Holy Spirit helps us examine and evaluate our own relationships within our family. If we are parents; are we parenting in loving ways that honor God? If we are a husband or a wife; do we honor our them with unconditional love, not seeking the fix our faults, but instead seeing them as God meant us to value them—as gifts from God to us?!

Let’s be honest before God who knows all; then listen to His Spirit’s conviction and correction.  What is God saying to us personally?  “His power can make you what you ought to be…” the old hymn teaches.  “Let Him have His way with you.”

As long as we live and breathe on earth; it is never too late for us to make life course corrections that line up with God’s best for us and our families.  Our homes are our  giant-size privileges, our towering priority as we seek God’s will over our own selfish desires. Avoid making David’s tragic mistakes—Follow David’s example of humbled repentance to God.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

David’s psalm, written after his realizing the full impact of his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. Psalm 51:1-17

Lord, God of all, Loving Father,

Thank you for the teaching found in your Word to us today. By your power, the power of your wonder-working blood in us; make us holy. We are members of your forever family as brothers and sisters who love you because you first loved us—relentlessly and forever—help us to love like you love us!  Your example, dear Jesus, was perfect!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

OPPOSING OPINIONS

Posted on August 7, 2025 by randscallawayffm

It is hard to make wise decisions when your most trusted advisors disagree on what you should do.  I’ve been there; done that.  That’s why it is so important to seek God first and ask for HIS wisdom in choosing our mentors and advisors on earth. God will lead us to those who know Him, listen to Him, and deliver His words to us as spiritual advisors.  God is for us who believe and trust in Him.  God does not oppose us; rather His heart’s desire is His best for us in all the details of our lives.  When opposing advise is given to us; we must go back to God and ask for His best path to take.  God will not fail us; it is not in His character.  God is faithful—even when we are not.  So, trust God. Trust His direction from His Holy Spirit living in us who directs us to all that is truth.

I have learned that when in doubt, don’t!  Instead, it is time to pause and wait on God.  God is always at work.  At times, we must wait on the Lord God to do what He does best—His will to be done in His way in His time.  God clears the path for our next steps to take in the wait!  We make great mistakes when we seek advisors who only tell us what we want to hear or to simply to use us to get ahead in life. 

Seek God’s wisdom in choosing those who will tell us the God’s truth then lean on God’s Holy Spirit in us who trumps all human advisors on earth. When God’s Holy Spirit agrees with our spiritual advisors, then it is time to move forward. Until then —Be still and wait on the Lord.  Strength will rise when we wait upon the Lord…I feel a song coming to mind!

David believed God and trusted that His path would be perfect because God is perfect in every way.  David sang what He believed about God in Psalm 18…I suggest reading the entire psalm but here is an excerpt;

“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great
You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.”           Psalm 18:30-35

Humanly speaking, if Absalom had followed Ahithophel’s plan, David would have been slain and Absalom’s problems solved. But David had prayed that God would turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31), and God used Hushai to accomplish just that purpose.  This is part one of the victory over David’s rebellious son, Absalom.

2 Samuel 17

Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”

14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.

20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.” The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Absalom’s Death

24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Ahithophel’s matter-of-fact speech was forgotten as Hushai’s grand plan, punctuated with vivid mental pictures, gripped the hearts and minds of Absalom and his leaders. God had answered David’s prayer and confused the counsel of Ahithophel. Absalom would ride at the front of his army, intent on victory, but he would meet with humiliating defeat. “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (See Psalm 33:10, 11).

Both Ahithophel and Absalom ended up hanging from a tree. Ah, but we get ahead of the story…How tragic it is when a man or woman leads an exemplary and useful life and then fails dishonorably at the end. There are old fools as well as young fools, and Ahithophel was one of them. All of us need to pray that the Lord will help us to end well. 

Trust and obey God—He knows what He is doing!

Lord,

Your story teaches us again of how you work in the lives of all the humans you have created, making a bad situations suddenly work for good for those who love you. This always amaze me with wonder, unspeakable joy with thanksgiving.  You have provided many miraculous acts in my own life—throughout my life.  When I didn’t know what to do next; I knew where to turn—to you! Thank you for saving me and then sustaining me through all the circumstances of my life.  In my imperfections; Your glorious ways of perfection redeemed me and healed me and made we whole once more. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Lead me, Lord, for I am yours and I am listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

SPIRITUAL ADVISORS

Posted on August 6, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Who do we immediately turn to when life throws a curve? When what happens is beyond our ability to reason a response; who can we trust to listen first and then offer advice for the situation?  Who is that person in our life that we depend on when life is confusing and complicated?  What is it about them that we trust?

The book of Proverbs is filled with principles for leaders and followers of God; along with the wisdom to seek godly advisors.  We cannot do life alone. We cannot just “follow our hearts” as the world proclaims because “follow our heart feelings” change suddenly and often like the direction of the wind. Because our hearts are not reliable; we must seek advisors, those who look at our circumstance with new perspectives.

Proverbs 11:14 and 15:22 both emphasize the value of seeking counsel. Proverbs 11:14 states that “where there is no guidance, people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory”. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed,”. These verses highlight the importance of seeking advice and the benefits of having multiple counselors to achieve success and avoid failure. 

David and his rebellious son Absalom both trusted in the same advisors.  How will that work out for them?  Maybe more than one advisor is needed to solve the war between them.  Ahithophel and Hushai competed as advisers to Absalom during the revolution. Most leaders in those times relied on advisers to make important policy decisions.  Both David and Absalom assume their advisors “inquired of the Lord” first before giving the advice they seek.  God enables his chosen leaders (such as David) to prevail through the most complex and adverse circumstances. God also supplies his Holy Spirit to guide and comfort when seeking truth.

Today’s passage begins with deception and destruction.  Ziba told lies and Shimei threw stones; both were making it difficult for David. David’s attitude was one of submission, because he accepted Shimei’s abuse as from the hand of God. David had already announced that he would accept anything the Lord sent to him (2 Sam. 15:26), and here he proved it. But God will prevail.

2 Samuel 16

David and Ziba

When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.

2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”

Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”

Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’”

4 Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”

“I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”

Shimei Curses David

5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”

9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”

10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”

11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai

15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”

18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”

20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”

21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

A godly advisor truly inquires of God then says and does what God says.  He listens to the whole story and considers all the implications from different points of view before speaking the wisdom God gives. 

Godly leaders need rest before making decisions.  I listened as one of my advisors made statement at a time of being completely overwhelmed as a leader that made a lot of sense.  “Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap!”  A rested heart, mind, body, and soul is more able to see and hear with the eyes and ears of our Lord who lifts the burden we bear…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”—Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30

David was weary and deeply wounded within, so it wasn’t the best time for him to be making character decisions. He accepted Ziba’s story—which was later discredited (19:26, 27)—and made a rash judgment that gave Ziba the property that rightfully belonged to Mephibosheth. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13). God’s leaders must constantly be on guard, rest, listen with the heart of God leading them or we will make unwise decisions on the basis of incomplete information.

Consider these thoughts by Warren Wiersbe;

“What did all this suffering accomplish for David? It made him more like Jesus Christ! He was rejected by his own people and betrayed by his own familiar friend. He gave up everything for the sake of the people and would have surrendered his own life to save his rebellious son who deserved to die. Like Jesus, David crossed the Kidron and went up Mount Olivet. He was falsely accused and shamefully treated, and yet he submitted to the sovereign will of God.”

“Hushai’s words to Absalom must be read very carefully or they will be misunderstood. Hushai gave the usual respectful greeting “God save the king,” but he didn’t say “King Absalom.” In his heart, he was referring to King David, but the new king didn’t understand what Hushai was saying. A proud man, Absalom interpreted all of Hushai’s words to apply to himself, and he accepted Hushai as another adviser. This decision was of the Lord and prepared the way for Absalom’s defeat.”

“Absalom looked to human experience and wisdom—and from a human point of view, Ahithophel was among the very best. Ahithophel didn’t seek the mind of the Lord, however, nor did he want the will of the Lord. His primary goal was to avenge himself against David for the sin David had committed against his granddaughter Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah the Hittite. The depravity and triumphs of sin may shock us, but they cannot defeat the plans or purposes of God.” –Wiersbe Study Bible

WE NEED HELP—AND GOD KNEW WE WOULD!

Beyond all the help of godly mentors and advisors who are humans with imperfections, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, the greatest and most trusted Advisor and Counselor of all!  The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Holy Trinity of God who is God living in us!  Here’s how Jesus explained it to his followers;

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. –Jesus, John 14:15-20 (Read the whole chapter for complete understanding of this gift!)

“What a Friend we have in Jesus,” a hymn of my youth, takes on an even deeper meaning!  We have Jesus who saved us from our sins and immediately have God’s Holy Spirit as a live-inside-us Counselor who will guide us to all that is truth in all circumstances, available at all times!  Could this be the lighter yoke Jesus is referring to? Mm.

When we place our faith in Christ, Christ places his Spirit before, behind, and within us!  Everything Jesus did for his followers, his Spirit does for us. Jesus taught; the Spirit teaches. Jesus healed; the Spirit heals. Jesus comforted; his Spirit comforts. As Jesus sends us into new seasons, he sends his Counselor to go with us. “What a privilege to carry everything to Him in prayer” … 

Lord,

By your Holy Spirit power living in us, cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  YOU are the ultimate advisor to all that is truth.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

YOU’RE OUT; I’M IN

Posted on August 5, 2025 by randscallawayffm

It is an extremely dangerous, unholy act by humans, filled with the intentions to do harm, to conspire against God-led, Spirit filled leaders of church groups, leaders and small business owners who serve, leaders of local communities dedicated to peace and good will, and countries in which we all reside, love, and serve. But it is beyond dangerous to rise up and revolt against God and His People for unholy, purely selfish reasons of revenge and greed that has festered into unrighteous hate with a desire for death for all who oppose them.   

Hate shakes its fists at a loving, merciful, gracious God and declares; “You’re out; I’m in.” Satan had a heyday as Jesus stood in judgement before evil religious leaders and officials of the Roman government who didn’t really know what to do with God’s Son who did not wrong.  Satan, above all, knew Jesus as God’s Son!  But that didn’t stop him from confusing the minds of the populace to shout, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!”

Satan smirked with an evil grin on his face as his plan of conspiracy and deceit turned hearts and minds to his way of thinking. His evil plan was coming together. The demons danced at the cross while others mourned. Satan and his demons celebrated in what they thought was victory once and for all.  For the humans who participated in this act of rebellion against God, Jesus offered these words of mercy; “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” 

However, three days later…Everything changed!  Our Overcomer overcame evil in victory.  God’s Plan from the beginning was to bring salvation to all who would believe in Jesus, His Son.  Jesus did what His Father, our Father, told Him to do.  This act of sacrificial, willing obedience removed sin once and for all.  Only Jesus could provide this rescue and reconciliation.  Only Jesus could restore our relationship with God.  Jesus is our Savior.  God honored Jesus as the King of kings, and Lord of lords.  Jesus in the Victor forever. Truth. 

Absalom’s charisma and charm won over many followers. His rebellion became so strong and widespread that David fled rather than engage in a long, bloody opposition.   God had forgiven David, but David’s sins brought painful consequences. In this passage, David was forced to flee Jerusalem because of opposition from his own son.

Imagine the pain and rejection David must have felt.

Jesus could have associated with those emotions as his own family and followers fled from him in fear.

Hold these thoughts in mind as we read Absalom’s rebellion against his father, David.

2 Samuel 15

Absalom’s Conspiracy

In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” 4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”

5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

7 At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the Lord. 8 While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: ‘If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.’”

9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron.

10 Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” 11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. 12 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.

David Flees

13 A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”

14 Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.”

15 The king’s officials answered him, “Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses.”

16 The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace. 17 So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city. 18 All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king.

19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. 20 You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”

21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.”

22 David said to Ittai, “Go ahead, march on.” So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.

23 The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the wilderness.

24 Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.

25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. 26 But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”

27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand? Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You and Abiathar return with your two sons. 28 I will wait at the fords in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.

30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. 31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

32 When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel’s advice. 35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king’s palace. 36 Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear.”

37 So Hushai, David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

In just four years Absalom’s calculated charisma drew a large number of devoted followers throughout the whole land. His rapid success at influencing the minds and hearts of a nation warns us that one day a leader will arise who will control the minds of people around the world (2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 13:3). Jesus told the Jewish leaders of His day, “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive” (John 5:43).

The life of David is often compared to the life of Christ but we must remember; only Jesus was perfect and without sin. David was not perfect, we with sin, but forgiven by God’s mercy. David was once known as “a man after the heart of God” as a young shepherd boy but as king he fell into sin because of following his own deceitful heart.

Jesus was God in the flesh and was the heart of God.

David now responds to trouble with a renewed heart for God. Notice his actions:

  • David, the once warrior king, chose to flee instead of going to war to shed more blood within his family and court.
  • David listens to his advisors but seeks the will of God. “I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”
  • David weeps for his rebellious son and for Israel. “David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went” …and so did others with him. 
  • David bowed to God in prayer for help. “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

There are reasons for Jesus’ compassionate warning to guard our hearts. (See Matthew 15:18-19) Jesus teaches that what defiles a person comes from within, specifically from the heart. He gives examples like evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, and more as originating from the heart. This emphasizes that the heart is the source of both good and evil actions. Our free will given to us by God gives us a choice to make.  Who will we choose?  It’s a matter of the heart.

Proverbs 4:23 states; “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. This verse underscores that the heart is the wellspring of our actions and choices. What we do reflects the true belief and intentions of our hearts!

David is betrayed by his own son, Absalom who is filled with hate and still holds grudges against his father. Absalom as allowed all the traits of hate to enter his heart. Guided by an unguarded heart; Absalom rebels against his father, David.  Rebellion and betrayal by our beloved is the greatest hurt of all.  Jesus knows that hurt and heartache.

Matthew is admirably honest when he confesses, “all the disciples deserted him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).  Judas was not the only betrayer.  Not just Peter denied him.  All fled the scene.  Jesus handled his hurt by thinking more of his mission to save us.

Do we really want to know Jesus and be more like Him, “and share in his suffering” like Paul preaches? (See Philippians 3) We live in a world with choices to respond to evil and good.  How will we personally respond?  We too have been betrayed and we at times rebel. What can we do about it?  How will we respond to Jesus who keeps knocking on the door of our hearts?  Will we let him in and allow him to create a new heart within us?  Or not? How will we respond to troubles? Two choices: Seek God and his wisdom or conspire to get even? Choose this day who will have your heart and mind.

Let’s pause and take the time needed to reflect on how Jesus dealt with his own pain and rejection. Then let’s ask God to help us overcome the brokenness and evil thinking in our lives and replace our worry and scheming with a more holy, like Jesus, response. And if we want to really get serious; ask God for His power to renew our thinking, asking Him to help us see the purpose in this present, temporary pain.

In Jesus Name, For His glory, and our good, Amen     

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

AVENGERS CANNOT BE TRUSTED

Posted on August 4, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Avenger: a person who takes revenge for an offense. Avengers feel that by engaging in terrorism they right the wrongs committed to their people. An avenger is a person who takes revenge on behalf of someone else.  Many movies, past and current, portray avengers as heroes to be adored. Most often, avengers, because of their knee-jerk reactions to trouble find themselves in trouble themselves.

An avenging person who hastily reacts immediately to a wrong committed has a controlling mind, thinking he/she can fix people and circumstances.  God is left out of the equation of seeking solutions, however.  Avengers seek justice with no mercy.  “Off with their heads” is their first response and battle cry whether figuratively or physically.  Avengers are led by their own emotions and frustrations in life.  They “follow their hearts” in solving whatever problem presents itself within their hearing.  There is no wisdom, no consulting God, which results in actions of injustice which is opposite God’s justice.  Avengers strike and run for when the deed is done they are just as guilty as the one they destroyed and put to death for their sins.

Micah 6:8 is a well-known verse that outlines what God requires of humans: “to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” Micah says it is God’s requirement of mankind to live a life that reflects God’s character through righteous actions, compassionate hearts, and a humble spirit. 

David’s family was in conflict. His eldest son, Amnon, raped Tamar, his own half-sister. Absalom, Tamar’s brother, murdered Amnon in revenge. Absalom is an avenger who does not walk with God. Absalom has accumulated an army of men who are loyal to overtake his father’s kingdom.  He will do anything to obtain what he wants. How this must grieve the heart of David of seeks a restored relationship with his son. How deeply this must grieve the heart of God who seeks restored relationships with us when we run from His love and care. 

2 Samuel 14

Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom. 2 So Joab sent someone to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, and don’t use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has spent many days grieving for the dead. 3 Then go to the king and speak these words to him.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.

4 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell with her face to the ground to pay him honor, and she said, “Help me, Your Majesty!”

5 The king asked her, “What is troubling you?”

She said, “I am a widow; my husband is dead. 6 I your servant had two sons. They got into a fight with each other in the field, and no one was there to separate them. One struck the other and killed him. 7 Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant; they say, ‘Hand over the one who struck his brother down, so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed; then we will get rid of the heir as well.’ They would put out the only burning coal I have left, leaving my husband neither name nor descendant on the face of the earth.”

8 The king said to the woman, “Go home, and I will issue an order in your behalf.”

9 But the woman from Tekoa said to him, “Let my lord the king pardon me and my family, and let the king and his throne be without guilt.”

10 The king replied, “If anyone says anything to you, bring them to me, and they will not bother you again.”

11 She said, “Then let the king invoke the Lord his God to prevent the avenger of blood from adding to the destruction, so that my son will not be destroyed.”

“As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “not one hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”

12 Then the woman said, “Let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.”

“Speak,” he replied.

13 The woman said, “Why then have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, for the king has not brought back his banished son? 14 Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.

15 “And now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; perhaps he will grant his servant’s request. 16 Perhaps the king will agree to deliver his servant from the hand of the man who is trying to cut off both me and my son from God’s inheritance.’

17 “And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king secure my inheritance, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the Lord your God be with you.’”

18 Then the king said to the woman, “Don’t keep from me the answer to what I am going to ask you.”

“Let my lord the king speak,” the woman said.

19 The king asked, “Isn’t the hand of Joab with you in all this?”

The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything my lord the king says. Yes, it was your servant Joab who instructed me to do this and who put all these words into the mouth of your servant. 20 Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation. My lord has wisdom like that of an angel of God—he knows everything that happens in the land.”

21 The king said to Joab, “Very well, I will do it. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.”

22 Joab fell with his face to the ground to pay him honor, and he blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that he has found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has granted his servant’s request.”

23 Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. 24 But the king said, “He must go to his own house; he must not see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king.

25 In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. 26 Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard.

27 Three sons and a daughter were born to Absalom. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she became a beautiful woman.

28 Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. So he sent a second time, but he refused to come. 30 Then he said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

31 Then Joab did go to Absalom’s house, and he said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”

32 Absalom said to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you and said, ‘Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!”’ Now then, I want to see the king’s face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.”

33 So Joab went to the king and told him this. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

ACT ONE: SCENE ONE

Just as Nathan had confronted David the sinner by telling him a story (2 Samuel 12:1–7); Joab confronted David the father and king by putting a fabricated account of a family problem into the mouth of a woman who was both wise and a very good actress.  Her story about a warring family moved the heart of David the father.

When has God used a story from someone’s life to open your eyes to your own story?  What was your first reaction? What did you do as a result? Who did you run to for help?

When troubles, conflicts, and circumstance that demand justice come; Seek God’s help first.  Kneel before God, asking for His wisdom and direction before doing anything about the injustice to us or a loved one.  When we plunge into a sea of trouble without God we will drown from our own attempts to save ourselves or others. Rescuing, saving, and restoring God’s work. God is the justice we seek.

“Had God not forgiven David’s sins? The woman confessed that she was afraid that her family would slay her son and rob her of the inheritance God had given them. Until we remember we are also targets of God’s mercy, we won’t be able to see how badly others need His mercy—even when it comes through us!” –Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Study Bible

We must daily remember and internalize what God has so graciously done for us and continues to do through us as He pours out his mercies over us!  The more we realize the depth of God’s love, mercy, and grace; the more we will begin to extend His form of justice, mercy, and love to others. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, Paul reminds us. (Romans 3:23) “Waling humbly with God”, a requirement of God, is remembering all He has done for us!

SCENE ONE: ACT TWO

There is no record that Absalom was repentant and sought his father’s forgiveness, or that he offered the required sacrifices. Father and son were together again, but it was a fragile truce and not a real peace. Absalom had his hidden agenda and was determined to seize David’s throne. Now that the prince was free, he could be visible in the city and enjoy the adulation of the crowds. During this ruse; Absalom is quietly organizing his sympathizers for the coming rebellion to overthrow the throne of David. David was about to lose his throne and crown, his concubines, his trusted adviser Ahithophel, and ultimately his son Absalom. It would be the darkest hour in David’s life.

Stay tuned…there’s more to come!

Lord,

Thank you for lessons that leap from the pages of Your Story through your people. Thank you, Jesus, for your parables that further explain who you are while bringing  Light to the Truth.  We know what please you.  Help us to walk humbly with you daily.

You love justice and you also provide heaping amounts of undeserved mercies daily to all who believe and follow you.  Continue to be make us mindful of all you have given to us so that we will be more like you, developing your character traits of real love, merciful kindness, and unmerited grace to all those around us. I need you every hour to seek restoration; not revenge.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

Posted on August 3, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Well, I spent a lifetime lookin’ for you
Single bars and good time lovers were never true
Playing a fools game, hopin’ to win
And tellin’ those sweet lies and losin’ again

… I was lookin’ for love in all the wrong places
Lookin’ for love in too many faces
Searchin’ their eyes
Lookin’ for traces of what I’m dreaming of
Hoping to find a friend and a lover
I’ll bless the day I discover another heart
Lookin’ for love

In 1980 Johnny Lee had the number one country hit in the land with “Lookin’ for Love” from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. The song is most remembered for the line from which the title comes: “Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places.”  But whether someone’s cultural memory includes that film or song, the universal nature of the sentiment is obvious.  We are constantly looking in the wrong places for the right things. Most think that our lust, called “love at first sight,” coupled with the view of the world to just “follow your heart” will be the pathway to happiness and fulfillment.  But our hearts are full of deceit, says Jesus, and our minds clouded by our own sinful nature. 

Love and happiness are the constant pursuits of our hearts; yet it eludes us so often because we are looking for both in all of the wrong places.  Jesus is pretty clear about where not to look: wealth, pleasure, fame, honors, and power.  He is also adamant and concise about where to look: God. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” –Jesus, Matthew 6:33

 “These things” Jesus is referring to are real love, eternal joy, everlasting peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—also called the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit who lives in all who believe in Him. (Galatians 5:22-23) We begin to bear these characteristics of God as our relationship with Him continues to grow and mature. We were created in the image of God; we develop His characteristics as we grow in our relationship with him with a desire to more and more like Him in every way!

Jesus expands his teaching on the mountainside with examples of how to love and live with God’s Kingdom thinking. God’s love becomes a part of us when we say yes to Jesus, His Son.  His love then guides us to love others like He loves us.  Real love, the love we search for and desire to have and to hold, is found first in God who so loved us He sent His Son to die for our sins so that a right, holy, and pure relationship with Him could begin to grow and mature. Realizing the depth of God’s love for us fine tunes our love for others. 

Our faith in God with our Hope of eternity is made possible all because of God’s love—”but the greatest of these is love,” teaches Paul to the church. (1 Corinthians 13). In fact, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 However, Jesus-approved roads to real love that fulfills our search for joy and happiness are out of sync with the everyday lives of most people’s daily pursuits.

Ammon was yet another casualty in the battle of evil to destroy our hearts. Ammon proved to be a fool.  Tamar was collateral damage in Ammon’s battle of self-desire. Ammon was looking for love in all the wrong places.

2 Samuel 13

Amnon and Tamar

In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.

2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.

3 Now Amnon had an adviser named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4 He asked Amnon, “Why do you, the king’s son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?”

Amnon said to him, “I’m in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

5 “Go to bed and pretend to be ill,” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”

6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand.”

7 David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare some food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. 9 Then she took the pan and served him the bread, but he refused to eat.

“Send everyone out of here,” Amnon said. So everyone left him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food here into my bedroom so I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the bread she had prepared and brought it to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. 11 But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”

12 “No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. 13 What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” 14 But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.

15 Then Amnon hated her with intense hatred. In fact, he hated her more than he had loved her. Amnon said to her, “Get up and get out!”

16 “No!” she said to him. “Sending me away would be a greater wrong than what you have already done to me.”

But he refused to listen to her. 17 He called his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight and bolt the door after her.” 18 So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. She was wearing an ornate robe, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore. 19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.

20 Her brother Absalom said to her, “Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this thing to heart.” And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.

21 When King David heard all this, he was furious. 22 And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar.

Absalom Kills Amnon

23 Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there. 24 Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?”

25 “No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.

26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.”

The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.

28 Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.” 29 So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

30 While they were on their way, the report came to David: “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.” 31 The king stood up, tore his clothes and lay down on the ground; and all his attendants stood by with their clothes torn.

32 But Jonadab son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “My lord should not think that they killed all the princes; only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s express intention ever since the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar. 33 My lord the king should not be concerned about the report that all the king’s sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead.”

34 Meanwhile, Absalom had fled.

Now the man standing watch looked up and saw many people on the road west of him, coming down the side of the hill. The watchman went and told the king, “I see men in the direction of Horonaim, on the side of the hill.”

35 Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come; it has happened just as your servant said.”

36 As he finished speaking, the king’s sons came in, wailing loudly. The king, too, and all his attendants wept very bitterly.

37 Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned many days for his son.

38 After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years. 39 And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6  So if Jesus is telling us the truth, then maybe the world is telling us the lie, and maybe that’s why Jesus warns us that we will be insulted and persecuted for following His recipe for real love while and unmasking the world and all of its trappings of false hope and happiness.
 
The earthly rewards for those who pursue earthly goods can be almost limitless, yet can be taken away in an instant.  Even if a person reaches her or his deathbed with wealth, pleasure, fame, honors, and power all intact, at the moment of death they are all gone and all that remains are those things which Jesus taught us to pursue with Kingdom of God thinking on that mountainside over 2000 years ago.  

And in that moment, after looking for happiness in all the right places, those who have listened to and acted upon the words of Jesus, will hear the greatest lyrics of all time:
 
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…”—Jesus, Matthew 5:12

Lord,

Thank you for reminding us of “these things” of your Kingdom that we must seek and develop as ways to express your love in us. The evil of this story breaks our hearts, I can only imagine the heartbreak you felt as Ammon took advantage of Tamar.  Continue to help us find ourselves in your story as we grow in our relationship with you. Teach us and lead us by your love.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

WHAT HAPPENED TO “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I SHALL NOT WANT?”

Posted on August 2, 2025 by randscallawayffm

We all see it. Many have gossiped about what they saw and heard.  We watched as the leader we adore is “caught in the act.”  We are dismayed, disillusioned and oh so disappointed. Our first reaction is shock because we didn’t see that coming.  The words that first come to mind might be, “what just happened?”  Followed by, “how long as this been going on?” And “how did we miss this?”

Max Lucado give us some perspective of David’s rise to heights of fame and glory as King of Israel and Judah being one of the reasons for falling into temptations to want even more.  Consider this—

“David “sends” many times in this story. He sends Joab to battle (see 11:1). He sends the servant to inquire about Bathsheba (see 11:3). He sends for Bathsheba to have her come to him (see 11:4). When David learns of her pregnancy, he sends word to Joab (see 11:6) to send Uriah back to Jerusalem. David sends him to Bathsheba to rest, but Uriah is too noble. David opts to send Uriah back to a place in the battle where he is sure to be killed. Thinking his cover-up is complete, David sends for Bathsheba and marries her (see 11:27).

We don’t like this sending, demanding David. We prefer the pastoring David, caring for the flock; the dashing David, hiding from Saul; the worshiping David, penning psalms. We aren’t prepared for the David who has lost control of his self-control, who sins as he sends.

What has happened to him? Simple. Altitude sickness. He’s been too high too long. The thin air has messed with his senses. He can’t hear as he used to. He can’t hear the warnings of the servant or the voice of his conscience. Nor can he hear his Lord. The pinnacle has dulled his ears and blinded his eyes. Did David see Bathsheba? No. He saw Bathsheba bathing. He saw Bathsheba’s body and Bathsheba’s curves. He saw Bathsheba, the conquest. But did he see Bathsheba, the human being? The wife of Uriah? The daughter of Israel? The creation of God? No. David had lost his vision. Too long at the top will do that to you. Too many hours in the bright sun and thin air leaves you breathless and dizzy.

Sometimes we can find ourselves blinded to what is right. We justify our actions or simply refuse to listen to our conscience. We are not immune to sin, but we can ignore the warning signs. What can you do to keep from falling as David did?” Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

As we read this passage and pass judgement on David; we must look inside and ask ourselves, what sin are we ignoring, setting aside as being not as bad as our friends’ sin, or justifying our sin as what we deserve because of our good service to God and others?  What sin is blocking our view of God and all He wants to do in and through us for His glory and His best in us?  Who is our Nathan? Will we listen to the Nathan in our lives whom God has sent to us?  God does the sending; we do the trusting and obeying. This is walking humbly with God which is what is required of us. (Micah 6:8)

2 Samuel 12

Nathan Rebukes David

The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”

5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’

11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”

15 After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”

19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.

“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”

22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; 25 and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

26 Meanwhile Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal citadel. 27 Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and taken its water supply. 28 Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me.”

29 So David mustered the entire army and went to Rabbah, and attacked and captured it. 30 David took the crown from their king’s head, and it was placed on his own head. It weighed a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones. David took a great quantity of plunder from the city 31 and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes, and he made them work at brickmaking. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then he and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Our sin will find its way to the surface after all efforts to cover it over or cover it up with more sin. God knows our hearts. His prophets warned people, “Your sins will find you out!”  The phrase “your sin will find you out” is found in Numbers 32:23. It means that those who commit sin will eventually face the consequences of their actions. The verse is a warning from Moses to the tribes of Gad and Reuben, who had requested land on the east side of the Jordan River, reminding them that if they failed to fulfill their promise to fight alongside their brethren in conquering Canaan, their sin would be exposed and they would be held accountable.

But do we listen and most important, do we repent?  God already knows our sins and our propensity to sin.  “While were yet sinners; Christ died for us.” This was a demonstration of God’s love us!  Our loving, faithful God provided His Son, Jesus, to come to earth to seek and to save the lost from our sins.  But before Jesus came, God dealt with the sins of His people specifically through His prophets, like Nathan, who spoke His words directly into the hearts of those called to serve God and His people.  David is one of those hearts who needed God’s conviction of sin with the reminder of the consequences of sin.  God disciplines the one He loves, David, with a course correction for his behaviors that resulted from sins committed.  David repents but a price had to be paid for his sin—his first born son with Bathsheba.  But God wasn’t finished with David yet…

God sent HIS Son to save us from our sins.  It was Jesus, who never sinned, who paid that price for our sin for us! The perfect, without blemish Lamb of God, willingly and obediently laid down His life so that our lives could be spared. Yes, pause and think about this truth—take all the time you need. I am.  Jesus Christ paid for all the sins of the world God loves; once and for all eternity.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

There is nothing we have done that will shock God who knows our hearts and seeks to turn our focus back to Him.  God’s wants to us to be honest as we repent of our sins.  Then God does His work of restoring a blessed, loving, intimate maturing relationship with Him.  We will grieve God’s Holy Spirit when we sin; but God is not shocked by our sin.

There is no sin that God will not forgive.  Don’t take this on as a challenge, but repent and be filled with His love while accepting his gentle mercy and unending grace!  Then love others like Jesus loves us—without conditions. People need to know that salvation is obtainable and freely given by our God/Jesus/Holy Spirit who loves us most! A relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have!

God did for us what we could not do for ourselves.  God does not cover our sins but removes our sins forever—to be remembered no more!

Upon repentance; the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”, by Horatio G. Spafford comes floating into my mind with harmonies of peace. A phrase of this hymn, “My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross” is not a direct Bible verse, but rather a poetic expression of a believer’s heart who trusts in the completeness of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The hymn reflects the truth: Jesus Christ’s sacrifice covers all sin, not just a portion of it. 

My sin, oh, the bliss
Of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,
And I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Lord,

I surrender. I offer my life as an offering, holy and pleasing to you. Guide me in all I think, say, and do.  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  You are my Shepherd; I shall not want—for anything or anyone else! I’m yours and I’m listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“Though Satan should buffet,
Though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded
My helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

MANIPULATION—COVERING SIN WITH MORE SIN

Posted on August 1, 2025 by randscallawayffm

Lust and desire to have what someone else has is called “coveting” in the Bible. Defined, to covet means to yearn (crave and ache) to possess what you do not have.  Since Adam and Eve, many of God’s beloved and called over the centuries have fallen for the desire to have it all which leads to getting it all at all costs.

Coveting is mentioned as numbers 9 and 10 of the Big Ten commands of what not to do: (Exodus 20)

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.” 

When God commands it and we disobey Him; it is called sin.  Sin separates us from God who deserves an intimate, growing, maturing relationship with Him.  Sometimes, sin tempts us when life is good and we are at rest from our conquering pursuits. Our minds wonder, and instead of living in gratitude for all that God has provided; we begin to search for what else we do not have.  Evil pounces on this unfocused state of mind that wonders while wandering away from God.  Our minds work overtime to convince us we deserve more.  We look back on our success (by God’s hands) and think; “Look at all I have accomplished.” “Everyone bows down to serve me, now.” “Whatever I command; it is done!”  We get cocky and arrogant in responding to the life God provided for us, and we fall for sin more than we liked to admit. 

David whose heart was known for lining up with God’s heart, turns his focus from serving God to serving self.  David is resting on his laurels as a warrior to just being a king who commands.  David has time on his hands.  Evil tempts him and he falls. David’s lust for his loyal soldier’s wife led him to fulfill that lust by being with her. This led to the manipulation of lives which eventually led to murder. We’re sure David thought he had succeeded in his cover up of sin.  David had it all and wanted more—but at a high cost. David’s actions greatly displeased God. God will discipline David because He loves him like a son.

2 Samuel 11

David and Bathsheba

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

6 So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.

10 David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?”

11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”

12 Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13 At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home.

14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

16 So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. 17 When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.

18 Joab sent David a full account of the battle. 19 He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, 20 the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? 21 Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’”

22 The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. 23 The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate. 24 Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.”

25 David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.”

26 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Adam and Eve’s perfect, intimate relationship with God was severed by their disobedience to God. 

Moses led the people to the Promised Land but was not allowed to enter because he took matters into his own hands one day in anger and frustration against God’s whiny people. 

Jacob manipulated his twin brother Esau out of his rightful inheritance.  God had to deal with him a wrestling match over the will of God.  Later, Jacob was manipulated by his future father-in-law who placed a veil over the older sister and gave her to Jacob instead of the woman of his dreams. 

We could go on…but I think we get it!  Our desire to have it all because we think we deserve it and do everything we can in our own power to get it no matter who it hurts is sin and displeases God.  God wants HIS best for us. His best is beyond our wildest dreams or imaginations but we when we covet and selfish decide to choose what we want; sin is born and gives birth to more sin to cover the first sin! Crazy! Before spiraling out of control, we have the option to repent, halting the madness and destruction of sin. 

Truth: Our sins affect all those around us, not just us. 

Yes, we are born into sin and our nature to sin is strong.  But God is stronger still! Repented sin to God in Jesus Name is the best way to remove sin!  We overcome sin’s temptations as we lean on God’s resurrection power, the power that brought Jesus, our Redeemer of all sin, back to life!  THIS power, God’s Holy Spirit’s power, lives in us to help us overcome the temptation to fall for sin!  We cannot do this on our own!  We must trust In Jesus who saved us and set us free!

RECAP:

Warren Wiersbe comments; “David looked over the city, but he focused on one woman. In modern terms, he was doing the equivalent of idly clicking the remote or surfing the Internet. He didn’t think he was looking for trouble, but trouble found him in the form of temptation. Not only did he notice the woman, he kept looking and decided to find out who she was. David’s temptation and sin illustrate the truth that ‘each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death’ “ (James 1:14, 15).  

Although a successful commander of Israel’s army, King David let himself be conquered by lust. He committed adultery with Bathsheba, then arranged to have her husband murdered. David was not immune to temptation. When he sinned, God held him accountable for his actions. Stay tuned…

Lord,

Thank you first for forgiving us of our sins. Thank you for providing the power to run from more temptations to sin.  May we run to you instead and be filled by your overcoming power to resist the devil’s distractions and our own self desires.  Keep us focused on you and your best for us according to your will and purpose all day long and into the night.  May overthinking that leads to worry be replaced by thinking more like you that leads us to your peace of mind.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment