Day 132, 133, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Psalms 55, 58, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, 141, 143; 2Samuel 17:24–18:18. (Note: this is a two day study. It is suggested that the Bible reading be done on May 12 and the Bible study on May 13)
A Painful Cure
Gangrene is a dreadful condition that often forces doctors to remove limbs. Those who lose a limb suffer great emotional pain before and after the operation. The prospect of this loss is so great they might wish they could die instead, or at least get a shot or pill to make all the pain go away. What can be done?
Oh, the Pain!
Unfortunately, some people have to go through the pain of an amputation (physically or emotionally) before they can be cured and restored to health. King David could relate to that; he suffered emotional and spiritual pain when Absalom stage a coup to force him off his throne and out of Jerusalem.
While David, his army, and most of the people of Jerusalem wait for God to deliver them, the faithful king continues to experience pain from Absalom’s treachery. Absalom is like gangrene—he is destroying the kingdom and everything decent in Jerusalem (see yesterday’s reading). Now Absalom is preparing for war against his father to kill him and replace him as king. How does David feel about this? In a probable reference to Absalom, he says,
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend...My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall [be shaken from his place of favor]. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you. (Psalm 55:12-13, 20-23, NIV)
How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down-- this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place [David's throne]; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. (Psalm 62:3-7,NIV)
A Change of Perspective
When the ground of our confidence is shaking, where will we go for shelter? David’s refuge is in God. The king expresses confidence that the LORD will eventually vindicate him.
They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced. (Psalm 63:9-11, NIV)David overcomes his despair and has renewed confidence in the LORD. However, David, his troops, and the rest of the people are weak and hungry in the desert. God provides for them, even in this desolate place (2Samuel 17:27-29, NIV). He can do the same for us.
King David is still emotionally hurt, but messengers come and warn him of Absalom’s coming attack. David organizes his troops for battle, but his officers insist that he stay in the camp so Absalom’s troops will not kill him.
David’s words in his Psalms are prophetic—God will destroy the wicked who seek his life! Unfortunately, the leader of that evil band is his son, Absalom. In God’s grace and mercy, David does not see the death of his son. No matter how wicked our children become, it is never easy to lose them—it is much worse than losing a limb.
Absalom’s wickedness against his father and Jerusalem was terrible. In God’s sovereign will, the pain of Absalom’s death is the cure for stopping it and returning David to his kingdom. The people will restore King David to his place of prominence, although his trouble is not quite complete. We will see this in our next lesson.
God is Still Good
Are we in pain? God knows it, and he cares. Sometimes the cure is painful, but we need to keep trusting him to work out his sovereign will in our lives. Do we have a personal relationship with God? Then he will be with us all the way. He is good, even if it does not look or feel like it. We may not want to hear about it now, but if we continue to trust him, we will learn that the LORD does all things for his glory and our good.
Focus Verses
Psalm 62:5-7, (NIV) Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Discussion
When and why is it sometimes necessary for pain to be the cure?How do we comfort someone who is suffering physically, emotionally, or even spiritually?
Who do we go to for refuge, and why?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Now that Absalom is dead, King David has a chance to Start Over. What does he do after he returns to Jerusalem? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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