Prayer: Father, I understand a father’s love for an absent son. May I learn more about reconciliation and restoration through David and Absalom today. Amen.
Reading: 2 Samuel 14 key: vs. 28-29a & 33. “Now Absalom had lived two full years in Jerusalem but he never saw the king’s face. Then Absalom sent for Joab…So Joab went to the king and told him. When he summoned Absalom, he came to the king and bowed down on his face to the ground before the king, and then, the king kissed Absalom.” TLV
Attention: I have a son whom I haven’t seen for much longer than “two full years.” Understand, that David “longed to go out to Absalom,” long before Absalom longed to see his father. Absalom had avenged Amnon’s attack on his sister Tamar by having him killed at the hand of their other brothers. The initial report of the killing was incorrect and had Absalom killing all his brothers. David is relieved to find that all his sons were not dead, however, Absalom still fled. “David mourned for him every day” (2 Sam. 13:37b).
So, Absalom hid in Geshur for three years before Joab was commanded by David to bring Absalom to Jerusalem, where he lived for another two years before seeing his father’s face. We now see a son who “longed” to see his dad’s face. It took five years, but Absalom was now ready.
If you are a parent who is separated from a son, only son, only child, several children, I want to give you hope today that God loves to reconcile and restore relationships. First with Him, then with family.
There is a prophetic scripture found in Malachi 3:23-24 upon which I find hope. Here the prophet Malachi declares that “before the coming of the great and terrible day of Adonai” (Elijah) He will turn the hearts of fathers to the children, and the hearts of children to their fathers else I will come and strike the land with utter destruction.”
God’s desire is to see sons and fathers, daughters and mothers reconciled and restored in relationship. I long to see this day, when my son’s heart is turned towards me. My heart has been toward him for a long time. I long to see him face to face.
Action: I will continue to pray for my son and the reconciliation and restoration of family relationships.
Yield: I choose to yield to God’s timing for reconciliation.
Engage: I choose to engage in the process of reconciliation and restoration of relationship with my son.
Relationship: I choose to be in a heart-to-heart relationship with my son and with God.
Prayer: Father, You are in the process of restoring relationships by reconciling people’s hearts to You. When we are reconciled to You, we then have Your heart for and toward our children. May I see the prophetic word found in Malachi come to fruition with my son. Amen.
Memory Verse: Malachi 23-24 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible day of Adonai. He will turn the hearts of fathers to the children, and the hearts of children to their fathers—else I will come and strike the land with utter destruction.” TLV
Music Video: Vous Worship—Heart to Heart https://youtu.be/rnWMagoIzXY?si=iFOWEzSN8FKXkL44
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”