2 Samuel 13:36-39 - They
soon arrived, weeping and sobbing, and the king and his officials wept bitterly
with them. And David mourned many days
for his son Amnon.Absalom fled to his grandfather, Talmai son of Ammihud, the
king of Geshur. He stayed there in
Geshur for three years. And David, now
reconciled to Amnon's death, longed to be reunited with his son Absalom.
Nathan had told David his sons and family would meet with
much sorrow and pain…and so this story begins to fulfill the prophecy that foretold the great family problems of
David’s household. Before three years
had passed…a rape….and a murder began to pull his family apart. Amnon raped his half sister Tamar….so Absalom
murdered him in revenge and ran to hide in the home of a neighboring king. And even though David had reconciled the sin
in his own heart…he longed to see his runaway son.
It is a reminder to me that our sins…even though forgiven ….follow
us long after the point of our confession to God. God forgives our sin…but does
not erase the natural consequences of our choices. We must hold God’s hand
through the pain and memory…and seek his wisdom when we face those times when
the consequences stare us in the face.
We will only face them with courage and grace…if God is next to us
giving us direction.
It is also a reminder to me that forgiveness is the only way
to heal completely from such tragic pain in our lives. As God forgave David and
Bathsheba…David forgave his son…and longed to show that forgiveness in
person. Like the father of the prodigal
son….he stood gazing at the road to Geshur…and prepared in his mind the hug he
would give to his son on his return home. He had already lost two sons…he
wanted to keep the rest as long as he could.
Father…thank you for this story of love and forgiveness…that
helps me remember that no matter what I have done…you stand ready to forgive
and accept me. Help me to stand with you
in confidence as the natural consequences of my sin materialize in my life. Show me how to hold your hand…and deal with
each situation that arises with your love and mercy…allowing me to show the
forgiveness you gave me to others. Amen.
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