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!