09/04/2020 - FULFILLING ORDERS

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But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!    2 Samuel 18:12

Absalom, King David´s son, had a sad fate, but he could have been a man of God like his father. Upon learning that his stepbrother had abused his sister, he wanted to do justice with his own hands. The human being must not intervene in what only God has to do. Revenge does not belong to us, but to the Lord. Watch never to fall into the tale of the devil and avenge his “honor.”

After spending two years running away from his father, Absalom returned home, but without regret. Worse, it harbored a demonic plan in his heart – to dethrone David and become king of Israel. Absalom despised the fact that the Lord raises those who lead His people. No one can touch God’s work without His permission.

Absalom did not respect David as the Almighty’s anointed or his father. Now the Word urges us to respect father and mother so that our days may be prolonged on earth (Exodus 20:12). He still used every possible and evil means to turn the people against David. Their future could not be good, as the beginning was inspired by the accuser. Check who is in your heart by dictating your steps. If you are not the Lord, you will not go very far.

To humiliate his father, Absalom possessed his concubines in the sight of all the people. He who plants the bad seed will reap bad fruit. Many have plotted against one’s honor or life and are suffering. There is no other way to get rid of the forces of darkness except by sincere repentance.

History shows that the wicked will suffer here, but in eternity the price to pay will be even higher. The lake of fire and brimstone is all that a wise person should avoid. It is impossible to convince the Lord of your innocence because your error is latent in His eyes. Release guilt by confessing your sin to God and whom you have harmed.

In the great battle between the followers of Absalom and those of David, the king’s son found himself hanging by his neck on the branches of a tree between earth and heaven. This will happen to those who do evil and use force or other ways to prove their innocence. The example of the angry son shows us that there is no way to go unpunished.

Joab rebuked the man who saw Absalom trapped in the branches and did not kill him, saying that he would have given him ten silver coins and a belt. That man’s answer was that not for the very high amount of a thousand pieces of silver would he dishonor the king’s command. He was faithful to death! May we be loyal to the Lord in the same way!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares