11-6-13. 2 Samuel 17:15-29. DAVID’S MANY FRIENDS – my devotional

2 Samuel 17:15-29                                                      Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Key Verse: 17:16                                                                    Kevin E. Jesmer

“Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’”

    Dear Lord, I am in between shifts and don’t feel like I have much time. But still I know that making time for you and your word is of utmost importance. You are my hope and my strength. You are the wind under my wings. I can face each day with hope and vigor because you are my God and you give me aid. Thank you for being there. I pray that the people across our land may find their strength in the Lord and follow the path that God has shown them. Also, please bless the discussion on creation that is going on. I thank you and I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1:  A Message For David (15-23).

Verses 15-23, “Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel. A female servant was to go and tell them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they were not to be seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. And they went down into it. 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it. 20 When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 21 After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, “Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. 23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.”

There were many besides Hushai the Arkite who risked their lives for David. Hushai entrusted his message to Zadok and Abiathar, who were priests and supported David. They got the message through a servant girl to two other companions of David, and eventually to David himself.

God provides abundant support for those who live by faith. There are always those who support the work of God going on. There are always those whom God sends to support and protect. When Elijah felt that he was the only one, didn’t God remind him that there over 900 who did not bow their knee to Baal? We are not alone. God is with us. Angels are with us. People of faith are with us. If God is for us who can be against us? With Jesus we are more than conquerors. I thank God for sending many people into my life that are very supportive, at work, in the church and in the society in general. When I made the transition between Christian fellowships and missions, there were supportive people that made all the difference. I pray that I may be a support to others whom I meet on this pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he knew that Absalom’s rebellion would fail. He put his affairs in order and took his own life. He knew all was lost. This despair is felt by any who put their hope in this world, their trust in people, and their faith in their own wisdom. No matter how confident and able a person may be, it will all come to an end one day. It is at that time that we must all come to Christ for salvation.

Part 2: In Mahanaim (24-29).

Verses 24-29, “Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

There were many from Israel and beyond who maintained their allegiance for David at a time when things looked hopeless, bringing much needed practical support to him. They were used by the Lord to refresh David at the time when he needed it the most. I thank god for those who have refreshed me in my time of need. They are many and I can not list them off here in this short space. My wife, Julie is the biggest refresher and supporter of my life. Jesus himself has refreshed me again and again with his living water. (John 4) and will continue to do so, from now onto eternity. I pray for those who have no one to come along side them to refresh them on their journey of life. May they find the living water from Jesus and may people come along side them to bring them comfort, refreshment and support. May this come true for those living in isolated communities in Northern Ontario.

It was more than just human loyalty. In this way they served God’s purpose and were loyal to him. They became an acceptable offering to God.  Serving people is not just serving people. It is also serving the Lord. If we are very focused in our serving of others, it can be a way of serving God’s purpose in our lives. These people, serving King David were serving God and supporting the mission to establish King David as king over Israel. There is a mission aspect to my friendships. It is my offering to God. And so I can love those who do not love me. But I hope that my relationships are even more than that.

But we must be careful about this. What if we serve people, who, one day are part of what we think is God’s purpose, and then on another day they do not seem to be part of purpose of God? Do we withdraw support and even contact? Are we loving people for the sake of loving people or are we only serving “God’s purpose” with no real love in our hearts? I used to think that Christian friendship was the greatest friendship that will last forever, like David and Jonathan. Even more stronger than family. But step outside the “purpose of God” and one will find out how long the Christian friendship will last. Family does not care about the “purpose of God”. They are there and always your family. I need to learn this. I need to be a Christian who loves people and keeps loving, even if the relation seems to be outside the “purpose of God” for my life.  Actually, one person once said, “The relationship is the mission.” Lord, teach me to love unconditionally and faithfully like you love us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for supporting me and sending people to support me and my family. My I live as support for others.

One Word: Jesus refreshes and supports us daily.