Prayer: Father, instruct me from Your Word. Your servant is listening. Amen.
Reading: 2 Samuel 18 key: vs. 9 “Now Absalom encountered some of David’s servants. When Absalom was riding on his mule, the mule went under the thick branches of the great oak, and his head got caught in the oak, so that he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.” TLV
Attention: For such a promising young man, Absalom’s death was not necessary. We are told in 2 Samuel 14:25, that Absalom was more handsome than all the young men in “all Israel.” He was “highly praised”, and he was very popular. Absalom was a physical specimen among all young men, and he did not have a defect or blemish on his body. Today he would look like many of our pro-athletes donning a head of hair which would make a rock star jealous. He had everything going for himself, but he desired his father’s throne and power. He craved the position before his time.
Absalom had taken revenge on Amnon in his own power. He was now seeking the throne of his father, in his own power. Anytime we seek anything in our own power, we are out of the will of God. Absalom’s demise was of his own doing. He was self-seeking, not God-seeking.
I include a quote from Charles R. Swindoll, “God would love to piece together the shattered fragments of your life. But He is waiting … graciously waiting until the time is right. Until you are tired of the life you are living … until you see it for what it really is. Until you are weary of coping … of taking charge of your own life … until you realize the mess you are making of it. Until you recognize your need for Him … He’s waiting.
God is waiting on you today. To surrender control of your life to Him. Learn from the lesson of Absalom. His self-seeking ways were a dead end for him and will be for you too.
Action: I choose today to turn from my self-seeking ways and give my life to God.
Yield: I choose today to surrender to the Lordship of Yeshua.
Engage: I choose today to engage with the Holy Spirit in living a submitted, holy life unto God.
Relationship: I choose today to live in close intimate relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, I have sought my own way so many times. Forgive me. I repent of my self-seeking ways and ask you to restore me to an obedient lifestyle unto You. Amen.
Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Adonai and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” TLV
Music Video: Michael W. Smith—Draw Me Close https://youtu.be/7d_oYr-P16M?si=lJgnraPPekv49Ywl
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”