Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 15:30-37.

“And David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went, and his head was covered and he walked barefoot.  Then all the people who were with him each covered his head and went up weeping as they went.  Now someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”  And David said, “O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness.”

It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head.  David said to him, “If you pass over with me, then you will be a burden to me.  But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king;  as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant,’ then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me.  Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there?  So it shall be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.  Behold their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son;  and by them you shall send me everything that you hear.”  So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.”  2 Samuel 15:30-37.

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Hushai, David’s friend, left David to come to Jerusalem to be a spy for David.  I am not sure why David said to Hushai:  “If you pass over with me, then you will be a burden to me.”  Maybe, David was obviously kidding and wanted to be strong and let Hushai know that he (David) would be OK if he (Hushai) left.  We say such things ourselves.

More generally, we naturally want our friends to remain with us to give us the comfort and joy of their presence.  But, sometimes, it is better that they leave us and go elsewhere, sometimes to directly do good for us and sometimes to do good for others, all according to God’s will, plan, and providence. 

People should be very hesitant to leave their family and friends.  Most time, it is better to stay with their family and friends.  They should not leave without much prayer, much reading of Scripture, much counseling, and hopefully with the blessing of their family and friends.  We notice in today’s Scripture that David requested Hushai to leave or at least David presented the good that could occur if Hushai left.  

And even after people leave, they should think of going back home.  They should consider if they can complete their mission and go home.    

The purpose of this devotion is to not cover everything nor lead people whether to go or stay.  Rather, the format of this short devotion is to cover today’s Scripture and present a few Scriptures and a few points to consider. 

We know there is Scripture like the following. 

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.”  Matthew 19:29.

“Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord;  but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:61-62.

But, people can be deceived and too easily justify their decision to leave by saying, “It is God’s will.”  People can leave for the wrong reasons.  People can leave for selfish reasons.  People can leave for poor, superficial reasons.  So to speak, the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.  

There is warning!  

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Timothy 5:8.

But, there is also hope!

“8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:8-11.

And, there is more hope!  

God does not only lead the person who is considering whether to go or stay.  God is so kind and gracious that He also leads and comforts those family members and friends, so they can be part of the process.  

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:4-6.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

“… for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” Hebrews 13:5.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 15:1-12.

“Now it came about after this that Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him.  Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate;  and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?”  And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”  Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.”  Moreover, Absalom would say, “Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.”  And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.  In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment;  so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.

Now it came about at the end of forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.  For your servant vowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the LORD shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’”  The king said to him, “Go in peace.”  So he arose and went to Hebron.  But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’”  Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently, and they did not know anything.  And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices.  And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.”  2 Samuel 15:1-12.

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The following is Psalm chapter 3 as introduced and published by New American Standard Bible 1995.

“Morning Prayer of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.”

“3 O LORD, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.” Psalm chapter 3.

“5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
“7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the recompense of the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.” Psalm 91:5-10.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 13:20-39.

“Then Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you?  But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother;  do not take this matter to heart.”  So Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.  Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry.  But Absalom did not speak to Amnon either good or bad;  for Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.

Now it came about after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers;  please let the king and his servants go with your servant.”  But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, for we will be burdensome to you.”  Although he urged him, he would not go, but blessed him.  Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.”  And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”  But when Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “See now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then put him to death.  Do not fear;  have not I myself commanded you?  Be courageous and be valiant.”  The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded.  Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled. 

Now it was while they were on the way that the report came to David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”  Then the king arose, tore his clothes and lay on the ground;  and all his servants were standing by with clothes torn.  Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, responded, “Do not let my lord suppose they have put to death all the young men, the king’s sons, for Amnon alone is dead;  because by the intent of Absalom this has been determined since the day that he violated his sister Tamar.  Now therefore, do not let my lord the king take the report to heart, namely, ‘all the king’s sons are dead,’ for only Amnon is dead.”

Now Absalom had fled. And the young man who was the watchman raised his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain.  Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king’s sons have come;  according to your servant’s word, so it happened.”  As soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came and lifted their voices and wept;  and also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly.

Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur.  And David mourned for his son every day.  So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years.  The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom;  for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.”  2 Samuel 13:20-39.

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There was a lot of anxiety and worry in today’s Scripture.  Tamar was anxious and worried about being violated by her brother Amnon.  David was angry (and maybe also anxious and worried) about what was done to his daughter Tamar.  Absalom hated Amnon for what he did to his sister Tamar (and maybe also anxious and worried about exactly what to do with Amnon).  David was anxious and worried about the report that came to him, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left.”  David was worried and anxious about his son Absalom who had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years. 

We also may be anxious and worry about different things.

But, there is hope!    

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”  John 14:16.  King James Version.

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27. 

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow;  for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:31-34. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 13:1-19.

“Now it was after this that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David loved her.  Amnon was so frustrated because of his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, for she was a virgin, and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.  But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother;  and Jonadab was a very shrewd man.  He said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so depressed morning after morning?  Will you not tell me?”  Then Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.”  Jonadab then said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill;  when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat, and let her prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat from her hand.’”  So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill;  when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

Then David sent to the house for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”  So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, and he was lying down.  And she took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.  She took the pan and dished them out before him, but he refused to eat.  And Amnon said, “Have everyone go out from me.”  So everyone went out from him.  Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.”  So Tamar took the cakes which she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her brother Amnon.  When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.”  But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel;  do not do this disgraceful thing!  As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach?  And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel.  Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”  However, he would not listen to her;  since he was stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.

Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred;  for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.  And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away!”  But she said to him, “No, because this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you have done to me!”  Yet he would not listen to her.  Then he called his young man who attended him and said, “Now throw this woman out of my presence, and lock the door behind her.”  Now she had on a long-sleeved garment;  for in this manner the virgin daughters of the king dressed themselves in robes.  Then his attendant took her out and locked the door behind her.  Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her long-sleeved garment which was on her;  and she put her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.”  2 Samuel 13:1-19.

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Today’s Scripture teaches us that although we may go to great lengths and great effort to sin, even if we are successful in accomplishing our goal, the sin is never worth the temporary pleasure it may bring us.  And, our sin not only causes us suffering, our sin also causes others to suffer as Amnon’s sin caused his sister Tamar to suffer.

“Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred;  for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.  And Amnon said to her, “Get up, go away!”  Verse 15.

We may wonder exactly why Amnon hated her with a very great hatred.  It could be due to different reasons.  It is possible that when Amnon saw her, he was confronted with his own sin.  But, in any event, the sin is never worth the temporary pleasure it may bring us.

“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.  Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;  and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”  James 1:14-15. 

Tamar was innocent and did her best to avoid being violated by Amnon.  But, Proverbs warns us about women who seduce men.  And, of course, there are men who seduce women.  How much more careful that we need to be!

“My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.
2 Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your intimate friend;
5 That they may keep you from an adulteress,
From the foreigner who flatters with her words.” Proverbs 7:1-5.

“21 With her many persuasions she entices him;
With her flattering lips she seduces him.
22 Suddenly he follows her
As an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver;
As a bird hastens to the snare,
So he does not know that it will cost him his life.

24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths.
26 For many are the victims she has cast down,
And numerous are all her slain.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.” Proverbs 7:21-27.

But, there is hope!

“3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:3-7.

“5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.” Psalm 51:5-9.

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:8-9.