Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 14:23-33. I repeat verses 23 and 24 which I included in the last devotion to provide context for today’s devotion.
“So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. However the king said, “Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face.” So Absalom turned to his own house and did not see the king’s face.
Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no defect in him. When he cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, for it was heavy on him so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight. To Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar; she was a woman of beautiful appearance.
Now Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and did not see the king’s face. Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. So he sent again a second time, but he would not come. Therefore he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose, came to Absalom at his house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there.”’ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death.” So when Joab came to the king and told him, he called for Absalom. Thus he came to the king and prostrated himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.” 2 Samuel 14:23-33.
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“Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness.” Psalm 31:16.
We may think: “If only I was attractive and popular! I would have no problems! I would be happy and content! Everything would be perfect for me!”
But, today’s Scripture about Absalom shows us that is not true. “Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; …” Verse 25. Despite having it all, Absalom was not happy and content, because King David, his father, did not allow him to see his face.
The lesson of today’s Scripture is to seek the face and favor of our LORD and Heavenly Father.
“4 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
5 Remember His wonders which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham, His servant,
O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.” Psalm 105:4-7.
“How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” Psalm 13:1-2.
“7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the LORD will take me up.” Psalm 27:7-10.
“You hide Your face, they are dismayed;
You take away their spirit, they expire
And return to their dust.” Psalm 104:29.
But, there is hope!
“Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.” Psalm 119:135.
“3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah.” Psalm 24:3-6.
“For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness;
The upright will behold His face.” Psalm 11:7.
“O God, restore us
And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.” Psalm 80:3.
Benediction
“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
The LORD bless you, and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 