May 16, 2012 … The Consequences of Sin

Passage of the Day: Reference of Today’s Chronological Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 16-18 … To study these chapters, go to this link -
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Highlight Passage : 2nd Samuel 18: 32-33 … 32 The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man." 33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!" 

My Journal for Today: Well, today my Bible-reading plan took me through 2nd Samuel, Chapters 16-18, where one reads of a lot of the strategies and actions which resulted as David’s son, Absalom, plotted and pursued David to take over as the King of Israel, all of which ultimately resulted in Absalom’s death in a bizarre set of circumstances involving Absalom’s hair getting caught in a tree, allowing Joab and David’s soldiers to kill the king’s son. And when word of Absalom’s death finally got to David [see highlight passage above], he wept deeply. David, who had actually delivered an order that Absalom be spared, was broken to the core when his son was killed, and David wept and grieved the death of his son, who had rebelled against David, pursued him treacherously, and tried to have his father killed. So, … why would David grieve so deeply?

Well, the main reason was that David, being a model of God’s agape, loved his son unconditionally. Only God’s love, the agape exhibited by Jesus on the cross, can love another who is an enemy; and in David’s love for his son, we see that kind of love illustrated very personally and powerfully. Unfortunately, our “love” for our fellow man so often falls short of the love exhibited by David for his son, Absalom, and way short of the love of God illustrated by Jesus’ death on the cross.

 Secondly, David realized and recognized that Absalom’s sinful rebellion was the prophetic result of David’s own failure and selfishness, which historically came about when David made all those bad choices involving Bathsheba and the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah. And so, David grieved as much over his own past sins which had muchbib to do with Absalom’s rebellion. Hence, we read of David deeply desiring that somehow he, David, would have died rather than Absalom.

And the application for us all from this biblical history is that when we make choices to sin, selfishly and in rebellion against God’s will and His way, we sin against God; and there ALWAYS will be consequences. Most certainly, God is a merciful God; and He is a forgiving God; but sin is an affront to God’s holiness and it will always – ALWAYS – have consequences which will likely cause grief and pain in our life. So, recognizing that we’re all sinners; and we do sin; … is there any hope for us?

And that question is all wrapped up in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, and our Messiah. And we do have hope in the reality of that New Covenant declaration (found in 1st John 1: 9), If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. And I don’t know about you, but I know first hand of the reality of the consequences of my sin; and I also can give witness to the veracity of this latter New Testament truth.

Yes, sin does ALWAYS have consequences; but God also ALWAYS extends His grace of forgiveness for those who’re willing to humble themselves before His throne, confessing and truly repenting, and receiving God’s everlasting, forgiving love. … And for the latter, do I sense a “HALLELUJAH!!!” from any of you reading with me here?

My Prayer Today: … Yes, Lord, HALLELUJAH!!! Amen