2009 – Day 140.May 21 – A Sheltering Tree

2009 – Day 140.May 21 – A Sheltering Tree

Passage of the Day: 2nd Samuel 15: 1 - 18 … Link to passage for study …

My Journal for Today: Once again in David’s life in today’s passage, we read that he has to flee from those who had expressed love to him. In the past it had been Saul before David became king. Now, in our passage today, David is King of Israel; and he must flee his own son, Absalom, who had grown strong and was plotting to take over the kingdom. Strategically, David had to retreat from the “city of David,” Jerusalem.

And, as Swindoll points out, it had to be uplifting that a number of David’s men stood with him, providing the cover of their loyalty and standing with their King. Swindoll points to the poet Samuel Coleridge who likened friendship to a “sheltering tree.” And the point of this study is that we all need strong trees to cover us when the heat goes up or a tree to lean on when the wind blows.

And our devotional author, Chuck Swindoll, asks if his readers have at least one strong tree to provide shelter and support when the sun bears down or the storms of life come our way. David had his brothers in arms, … friends who would die for him and stand with him – no matter what. Do you have such friends? I know that I am blessed to have more than one band of brothers, as David did, whom I believe would stand over me, with me, and around me – no matter what! And as David felt, I’m sure, having friends like this is often the strength which will carry one through when things get hot or when the winds of the times blow hard.

I hope that any who read here have a grove of trees, or at least one such strong tree, which [or “who”] will be there to cover you when the heat of life beats down or to provide support when the storms of life blow. As I’ve said so often over the years, “Lone Ranger” Christianity just doesn’t cut it in this life. Christians need to stand together, needing and providing mutual support when things get hot or stormy. Swindoll encourages his readers from the devotional for this day to have or find a tree, or preferably more than one, which will be there in the tough times of life to supply shelter and support. With such “trees” in life, the heat is bearable and the support is so welcome. But without such shelter/support, life is going to be very difficult to bear.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for the support I have in life. Amen