I have been reading through the life of David as part of my time with God lately. I am currently in 2 Samuel after David has been King for awhile. In fact, part of the story has shifted from David to his sons and daughters. What a mess!
Here’s a quick highlight from just 2 Samuel 13:
Tamar is raped by her half-brother Amnon.
Tamar’s brother, Absalom, plots revenge against Amnon and kills him (can’t honestly say that I blame him).
King David banishes Absalom from his kingdom.
That’s what I call a dysfunctional family. King David finishes mourning for Amnon’s death and wants to be reunited with Absalom, but he has a problem…he has banished Absalom. Enter Joab…one of the David’s friends, confidants and generals. He wants the king to be reconciled to his son so he sends a woman to seek David’s advice…really a ruse to get David to see how think-headed he is being (and it works).
As this woman is talking to David, she says something that lept off the page at me this morning. It’s a truth I know…but it never hurts to be reminded once in awhile. Here is what she said:
God does not just sweep life away;
instead, he devises ways to bring us back
when we have been separated from him.
2 Samuel 14:14b, NLT
She was using God as an example of why David should find a way to bring his son back, but the truth here is amazing.
:: God pursues us ::
He devises ways to bring us back to Himself. He does not want us living apart from Him…He want a relationship with us more than we want it with Him!
As I think back on my own life, this has been true. God has pursued me and He has devised some very clever ways to bring me back to Him. I wish I wasn’t always so stubborn and stupid, but He is patient and loving.
How is God pursuing you now? How has He pursued you in the past? Thank Him for it!
Post Tags: 2 Samuel, Absalom, Amnon, David, God's Love, Tamar
