Do You Want Peace? Know Your Priorities, Have an Attitude of Gratefulness, and Be Willing to Sacrifice

            Have you ever been so happy that someone had returned to you—come back into your life—that you were willing to forgive him his rash decision to believe, and even bless, your enemy; and then give up your inheritance—your and your family’s wealth—to the enemy-deceiver? That’s exactly what someone who loved King David did, and we’ll look at his gracious, merciful—and peaceful—actions today in our study of peace.

           

            In our last post, we left King David fleeing the city of Jerusalem with some of his supporters. And, as always, there are those who choose sides based on who they think will win the battle, or who they think they stand to gain the most from during the war.

           

            In Chapter 16, we again hear about Mephibosheth, (the grandson of the former King Saul and the son of David’s dearest friend, Jonathan), when his deceiving servant, Ziba tells David that Mephibosheth has remained in Jerusalem and told Ziba triumphantly that  “Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.”

           

            It’s a lie, of course. Mephibosheth said no such thing. He adores David. He’s grateful to David for his gracious attention, salvation, and care.

           

            But in his haste, David, makes a severe and rash decision to hand over all of the inheritance he’d given to Mephibosheth to the deceiving Ziba.

           

            Before I go on in the story, I want to ask: Have you ever done that? Retracted a promise you made, for all of the wrong reasons? Because you were anxious, tired, scared, or threatened? Because you hadn’t done your homework, to find out if the information were true?

           

            It’s horrifying and embarrassing, isn’t it? It cleaves a gaping rift in the relationship. And it causes the other person’s heart to bleed because you didn’t trust her like she thought you did. Like peace, trust is a valuable commodity. When broken it is so very difficult—and sometimes impossible—to restore.

           

            But when we get to Mephibosheth’s response, you’ll have a greater understanding of how love and an attitude of gratefulness can overcome the wrong action and allow peace to reign.

           

            I recommend that you read all that David went through to regain his kingdom, including losing his backstabbing son, whom he dearly loved. But for today, we’ll skip to Chapter 19, verses 24-29, and read about David’s meeting with Mephibosheth.

           

           

            Now Mephibosheth the son (grandson) of Saul came down to meet the king (David). And he had not cared for his feet (he was crippled), nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace (shalom). So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”

           

            And he answered, “My lord, O king; my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,’ because your servant is lame. And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes. For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?”

           

            So the king said to him, “Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, ‘You and Ziba divide the land.’”

           

            The Mephibosheth said to the king, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.”

           

            David had previously given Saul’s family estate to Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, to be farmed under him by Ziba, who had been a servant of Saul. When Ziba deceived David about Mephibosheth, David hastily gave all of the land to Ziba after Ziba. Now, as David returns triumphantly to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth goes out to meet the king. It is clear from his physical state that he has been in a state of mourning for David since David fled the city. And he defends himself by telling David of Ziba’s lie and deception.

           

            Because David is distracted or unsure what to believe, he tells Mephibosheth that he and Ziba can divide the land between them. And how does the noble-hearted, loyal and grateful Mephibosheth respond? He essentially says, as The Message reads, “Oh, let him have it all! All I care about is that my master the king is home safe and sound!”

           

            While David made a poor decision to give half of the land to the lying, disloyal Ziba, the thing we need to focus on today is Mephibosheth and his response.        

           

           

            Mephibosheth has been in mourning, and probably fasting and praying for David’s safe return—a happy ending to the kingdom mess and upheaval. He is happy his prayers have been answered.

           

            Mephibosheth considers David as more important than himself; and he seems willing to forgive Ziba his deception. To not let that ruin the peace he now feels in his heart and mind. Mephibosheth knew how to enjoy peace, and he was content to possess just that. He knows that he will continue to sit and dine at the king’s table and be given good things by King David. He is satisfied that all is once again right with the world, and he is content!

1. When you do some self-reflection, can you say you are like Mephibosheth? His actions reflect a tremendous amount of humility and true, unconditional love. He demonstrates a pure heart. He doesn’t argue with David about getting back his fair share, which would have been all of the land. Instead, he’s willing to let go of all of it. (He knew that David had given it to him out of the kindness of his heart after David ascended to the thrown, for the memory of his beloved friend Jonathan—Mephibosheth’s father. It had been a generous, benevolent gift to him in the first place.)

2. How much like the lame, dependent Mephibosheth are you in your attitude toward the Lord? I know that my flesh is quick to fight for what I consider rightfully mine, especially when I think someone has “deceived” me out of it. Essentially, stolen it from me by lying.  

I forget that I am really broken and lame like Mephibosheth; that I am at the mercy of my Father, who gives all good things. A Father who opens up the heavens and pours good things down upon me, whether I deserve them or not. I forget that all that belongs to Him is mine; and that I will always sit and feast at the King’s table. I do not need to fight for and seek out those things that will not add to my peace. It should be enough for me to know that God is on the throne and still in control.

As we leave today’s study, let us try to go forth with Mephibosheth hearts—humble, grateful, uncluttered, unconditionally loving, content. At peace.

____________________________________

Until next Monday, may your week be full of blessings that you receive and give, your heart be full of joy and thankfulness, and your days be filled with laughter. Build a little heaven in your life right now, and watch your heavenly garden grow!

Blessings,

Andrea

When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on earth. ~ A. W. Tozer

Images by Google

Do You Want Peace? Keep Your Eyes Open, Your Ears to the Ground, and Remove Your Rose-Colored Glasses

           

            Let's imagine it. You’re the monarch of a great country you’ve been ruling for some time. You were chosen by God himself to rule; you battled hard to win control of the nation. Now you’ve left the running of the country to others. You think you can rest upon your laurels and the perceived contentment of your people. Things seem to be going along just swell when your son comes to you and asks (remember, you’re the king, and even your adult son needs to ask permission to do certain things) if he can go to a special city to him to offer a promised sacrifice. You—who are always ready and willing to encourage that kind of religious devotion—give your consent and blessing. You actually say to him: “Go in shalom (peace).” You are pleased because your son seems to be following in your footsteps of being a man after God’s own heart. Doesn’t that just make your parental heart sing!?

           

            Sounds great, doesn’t it? But wait. Things are not as they seem to be. (They rarely are.) Maybe you should have done a little checking on what your son’s been up to; maybe you should have watched over your kingdom more closely, been more attentive to the people and their needs. Had your advisors out taking notes and reporting to you more often. Maybe you should have kept your eyes open and your ears close to the ground.

           

            Without giving away too much of the story in Second Samuel 15:1-16, King David pronounces a blessing of peace upon his son, who doesn’t deserve it. Actually, he intends to misuse it. How could that happen? How could a son do such a thing to a king? To his father?

           

            Before we get further into the lesson, let’s read the story as The Message tells it.

                       

            

            As time went on, Absalom [David’s son] took to riding in a horse-drawn chariot, with fifty men running in front of him. Early each morning he would take up his post beside the road at the city gate [where disputes were addressed and judgments rendered]. When anyone showed up with a case to bring to the king for a decision, Absalom would call him over and say, “Where do you hail from?”

                       

            And the answer would come, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”

                       

            Then Absalom would say, “Look, you’ve got a strong case; but the king isn’t going to listen to you.” Then he’d say, “Why doesn’t someone make me a judge in this country?” Anyone with a case could bring it to me and I’d settle things fair and square.” When someone would treat him with special honor, he’d shrug if off and treat him like an equal, making him feel important. Absalom did this to everyone who came to do business with the king and stole the hearts of everyone in Israel. (emphasis mine)

                       

             After four years of this, Absalom spoke to the king [David]. “Let me go to Hebron to pay a vow that I made to GOD. Your servant made a vow when I was living in Geshur in Aram, saying, “If GOD will bring me back to Jerusalem, I’ll serve him with my life.”

                       

             The king said, “Go with my blessing [Go in shalom].” And he got up and set off for Hebron.

                       

              Then Absalom sent undercover agents to all the tribes of Israel with the message, “When you hear the blast of the ram’s horn trumpet, that’s your signal: Shout, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’” Two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem. But they had been called together knowing nothing of the plot and made the trip innocently. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he managed also to involved Ahithophel the Gilionite, David’s advisor, calling him away from his hometown of Giloh. The conspiracy grew powerful and Absalom’s supporters multiplied.

                       

                Someone came to David with the report, “The whole country has taken up with Absalom!”

                       

                “Up and out of here!” called David to all his servants who were with him

            in Jerusalem. “We’ve got to run for our lives or none of us will escape Absalom!

            Hurry, he’s about to pull the city down around our ears and slaughter all of us!”

                       

                 The king’s servants said, “Whatever our master, the king, says, we’ll do; we’re with you all the way!” 

            

           Wow! I think we need to take a deep breath and think about what just happened. A clueless king, an indulgent father, and a conniving son. Maybe it sounds as though I’m being harsh on David, but if you know the backstory to Absalom’s behavior, and this event, you’ll know that at a time where Absalom really wanted—and needed—to have some justice rendered, (for his sister, David’s daughter), David dismissed Absalom and the event through his words, demeanor, lack of attention, and abdication of authority. After that, Absalom plants seeds of loathing and retribution in his own heart, and this is where it begins.

           

            And Absalom seems to betray his father in the worst kind of way—by first obtaining David’s blessing; and then dragging David’s troops into the deception.

Take-away Points

           

            1. David is lax in his ruling and in being a good, conscientious—attentive—father and king.

           

            2.  And Absalom is clever. He went through a lot of planning and strategy (four years of it) to gain the people’s hearts. And he patiently waited for just the right time to act.

           

            3. Absalom’s behavior duplicates that of a sly, scheming (dishonest) politician interested in power and control.

           

            4. Absalom knows how to appeal to the people’s emotions, needs, and self-interests, and they succumb to his attention and charm.

           

            5. Absalom lies to his father, David, who is blinded to his son’s deception.

           

            6. But maybe, just maybe, David had put Absalom on a pedestal in his heart, thinking Absalom could do no wrong. He may have counted Absalom as pretty close to perfect. Unfortunately, lots of parents seem to think their kids are practically perfect in every way, and they indulge their child’s every whim and desire.

Now for the introspective questions!

           

            1. Can you think of a time when you’ve let your guard down, when you’ve been too trusting, and whole heartedly, happily granted someone close to you the blessing of shalom when they came to you with what seemed like a reasonable request? A request that pleased your soul?

           

            2. Can you think of a time when you haven’t been as attentive as you should have been to what was transpiring in your “kingdom”? When you ‘ve been too self-focused, or focused on the “wrong” things. When you’ve been distracted? What could you have done differently to change the situation, or to do a better job of recognizing what was going on “behind your back’?

It always amazes me when people say, after a family member or loved one betrayed them, that they didn’t know it was coming, that they were taken totally by surprise. Certainly that can happen, especially when the perpetrator is cunning, lying, and stealthy. But so often, if you look back over the events leading up to the betrayal, you—in retrospect—see the signs, and you wonder how you could have missed something like that. You could kick yourself for missing them. Or perhaps you didn’t keep your eyes open widely enough; you didn’t keep your ears to the ground. Kick, kick, kick!

           

           

            David sent Absalom away in peace, and Absalom returned in retribution and betrayal. He returned as a conspirator against his own father. David trusted Absalom, and Absalom tore that trust into shreds.

           

            And it broke David’s heart. It’s one thing when a co-worker or acquaintance, or even a friend breaks your trust, but when your kids lie to you and betray you it’s devastating.

           

            While I’m not suggesting that parents follow their children around, not trusting anything they do and eyeballing their every move, I do think more parents need to remove their rose-colored glasses and identify their children as the fallen human beings they are. And then there are the parents who need to do a better job of being alert and attending to their children, of really paying attention to them, respecting them, and being just and merciful with them.

           

            If parents would do more of those things, I think we’d have more reciprocated blessings of peace and fewer heartaches. And the same holds true for other family members, and friends.

If you want to read how the rest of the events transpired—the palace intrigue, the lust, the lurid flouting of power, ambition and success, the affect on the nation, and the shattered heart of a father—read the rest of the story in 2 Samuel 15-20. You won’t be bored!

Next week we’ll look at how peace can cause a person to be so thrilled that they are willing to lose all of they have to keep the peace they’ve gained.

____________________________________

Until next Monday, may your week be full of blessings that you receive and give, your heart be full of joy and thankfulness, and your days be filled with laughter. Build a little heaven in your life right now, and watch your heavenly garden grow!

Blessings,

Andrea

When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on earth. ~ A. W. Tozer

Images by Google

Do You Want Peace? Be Shrewd and Stay Safe in Your City of Refuge

           

            What kind of image does your mind conjure up when you hear the word peace? Do you see, and feel, tranquility? Do you think it’s a state of being calm in the midst of chaos, or living without any chaos in your life at all? Do you think it means living happily ever after with everyone in the world? Just doing your own thing, living on your own terms, going your own way, and blazing your own path?

           

            This week at Broken Hearts, Redeemed, we’re returning to our study of peace, specifically shalom type of peace, a state of rest, peace, prosperity.

           

            Our studies before the summer hiatus taught us much about peace: it’s sometimes imparted to us by others; it often involves dealing with and putting water on fiery relationships; often it means putting others’ interests ahead of our own, or turning and walking away from a fight; giving instead of receiving; keeping our mouths zipped shut rather than retorting; and trusting God implicitly in situations where we feel we’ve been slighted, knowing He’s telling us to walk away.

           

            Sometimes it means being shrewd and watching your back, and today’s passage reinforces that teaching. We need to remember that when one person blesses us with shalom, and tells us “everything is okay,” another person involved in the situation—one holding a grudge and looking for an opportunity to exact vengeance—may actually set out to undo, or even kill you. Sometimes peace means being as cunning as a serpent while being harmless as a dove.

           

            The Scripture passage(s) we’re exploring today are found in 2 Samuel, Chapters 2 and 3. Once again I will set the stage for you.

            David is gaining in strength and moving toward solidifying support and finally taking over the thrown from Saul’s family, which is becoming weaker. Saul and his son Jonathan (David’s best friend) have been killed in battle, and another of Saul’s sons ascends to the thrown. A guy named Abner is the commander of Saul’s army and still supports Saul’s family, even though David has recently been anointed as king over Judah.

            Abner actually selects Saul's son and makes him king after Saul’s death. For two years, Saul's son reigns over Israel, and David is considered king over Judah. But that’s all about to change.

           

            One day Abner gathers together Saul’s son’s military supporters and meets Joab, David’s military leader, and David’s supporters. They sit down on either side of a pool in Gibeon (called the pool of Gibeon) and stare at each other. Then Abner suggests that his young men and Joab’s young men arise and compete before them.

           

            Bad idea, because it starts a royal war between them, which Abner and the men of Israel lose. After the loss, Abner takes off running. And Joab’s brother, Asahel, takes off after him, full of determination and ambition to bring Abner down and retrieve Abner’s armor as the great military trophy.

           

            As fleet of foot that Asahel is, Abner cannot be overtaken. Twice Abner gives Asahel an opportunity to save face—and save his life—by suggesting that Asahel turn aside from trying to kill him to get the coveted armor trophy, and, instead, take the armor of one of Abner’s young warriors. Asahel won’t do it. Wrong choice. Abner, who is obviously by far the stronger and smarter warrior, stops running, turns around, and plunges his spear blunt end first into, and through, Asahel’s stomach and body. Asahel dies on the spot.

           

            From my reading, this looks like a case of self-defense in battle. Twice Abner had given Asahel a way out of what was sure to be a losing proposition for him. It almost sounds as though Abner doesn’t want to kill Asahel, maybe due to his respect for Joab as the general of the opposing army. Maybe he just doesn’t want another young warrior to die and has decided that there’s been enough bloodshed. Who knows what he was thinking. The text doesn’t say.

           

            And Joab and another one of his brothers pursue Abner, who Abner eventually calls for a truce between Israel and Judah. Joab takes him up on the suggestions, so they separate. But it becomes clear later that Joab does not trust Abner and harbors hate in his heart toward his brother’s killer. (Not murderer. The killing happened in war, and it happened not premeditatedly, but in self-defense.)

           

            Through a turn of events (really the result of Abner’s bad behavior, pride and arrogance, and inability to humble himself under correction), Abner changes his allegiances and joins forces with David. David—without Joab’s knowledge or support—accepts Abner’s declaration of support and sends him away in shalom, after Abner first performs David’s request to prove his allegiance. So Abner departs from David thinking everything is peachy and peaceful. David has, after all, given him his blessing. It seems to be enough for Abner.

           

            But when Joab hears about it, he confronts David and tells David that Abner has deceived him. Joab claims that the only reason Abner showed up declaring his allegiance was to actually spy on David.

           

            In a nutshell: Joab has not forgotten about Abner killing his brother. And he won’t. Although the text doesn’t say this either, I can imagine that one successful, faithful commanding general (Joab) loathes the idea of another strong general (Abner) hoarding in on his military territory. Joab may also be a little possessive of David and David’s trust, friendship, and confidence. At this point, Joab seems to decide to take matters into his own hands.

           

            Abner has gone to Hebron, a City of Refuge. That’s a smart place to go, because a city of refuge was a place that a person who committed manslaughter could flee to for protection or asylum. If you could make it to a City of Refuge, then you were under the protection of that city. If you left its city gates, blood vengeance taken by the offended party was allowed by law.

           

            Angry Joab heads off to Hebron, and when he gets there, he calls Abner to meet him outside the gate for a commander-to-commander chat. Abner obviously doesn’t think anything’s up, because he meets Joab outside the gate, where Joab kills him in retribution for the death of his brother Asahel.

           

            When word gets back to David, he makes sure everyone knows that it’s not because of him, or because of his decree, that Abner has been killed. He also pronounces a judgment on Joab and his family, and seeks God’s vengeance upon Joab for doing such a thing. Then he makes Joab and all of the people mourn for Abner.

           

            And then David says a strange thing. He says, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?”

           

            Why did he say that? Because Abner had been safe in the city. If he had stayed there, he would remain protected, and alive. Abner never should have left the city gates. He should have told Joab to come inside the city to talk to him.

           

            Abner might have made a dangerous assumption: That David’s declaration and blessing of shalom meant that others would acknowledge that shalom, and keep it with him, too. But maybe Abner just foolishly let his guard down and trusted too much. He wasn’t as shrewd as a serpent.

           

            He had the promise from David that between the two of them there would be shalom. He had protection in the City of Refuge. He threw it all away, and forfeited his life, when he left that refuge.

           

            David publicly pronounced that Abner died like a fool.

           

            How very sad.

Points to Ponder

1. As we’ve learned before in our studies, we must not assume that a declaration and treaty of peace between you and another person automatically extends to the other person’s family, friends, confidants, or supporters. They may resent that newly formed peace. They may feel threatened by it and plot retaliation against you. They may harbor hate in their heart for you. So when a declaration of peace is made between you and someone else, consider it a peace treaty only between you and that other person, not everyone on the periphery.

2. In going to Hebron, a City of Refuge, Abner made the right, wise decision. While it may have seemed like he had lost some of his freedom, he was safe and protected there, indefinitely. And he foolishly threw it away and paid the ultimate price for leaving its sanctuary.

Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesian church, repeatedly warns those believers to stand firm and put on their spiritual armor. Something we should all do daily. Doing that means we should always have an attitude of being prepared for battle. Of always being shrewd, and harmless, as Jesus instructed. Abner lost his shrewdness, something he obviously had possessed as a commander. We don’t often think of being shrewd, putting on our armor, and standing firm as recipes for having shalom, but they are. When someone you’re not sure about, or someone you used to call an enemy asks you to come out from your safe haven to chat with him, remember Abner. Make that person meet with you in a safe place, with another person. Be shrewd. Stand firm.

What, or Who, is your Hebron? As a Christian, it is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is your City of Refuge. He is your protection. In Him alone you have, and enjoy, perfect shalom. Hang onto Him, and you’ll hang onto Peace. Don’t foolishly wander outside the protection of the city, past the gates, into the world, that lies in wait to destroy you. Don’t let temptation draw you out and into. Stand firm, and rest peacefully in Him.

______________________________________

Until next Monday, may your week be full of blessings that you receive and give, your heart be full of joy and thankfulness, and your days be filled with laughter. Build a little heaven in your life right now, and watch your heavenly garden grow!

Blessings,

Andrea

When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on earth. ~ A. W. Tozer

Images by Google