2 Samuel 18:5–8 (ESV) —
5 And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.
6 So the army went out into the field against Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. 7 And the men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the loss there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread over the face of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword.
NOTE: When it comes to his children, David is foolish. When it comes to anything else, David is very wise. Twenty-thousand men die, ten women are raped, and countless lives are turned upside down. The worst thing to do is not to deliver justice to Absalom. David's words are loving, merciful, and wrong. David's sons are not above the law. David's sons must also face justice. Absalom and his pride brought his ruin. David's actions removed partially God's hand of protection. Justice must be served or there is no such thing a justice but rather partiality depending upon your nearness to the King.
Why are we so blind when it comes to our own children? It has to be our deep love that warps our standards of right and wrong. The important point is that we do them an injustice when we show partiality. We do them no favors. They don't learn. They are destined for an even greater failure. We would show greater love if we dealt more harshly.
PONDER:
- Do I show partiality to family or friends that I don't show to others?
PRAYER: Father, this is hard. It is just hard. We love our children so much, that we don't really know how to love. We end up teaching the wrong lessons when we allow our emotions to overcome our logic. Give me clear wisdom as I counsel and guide my children. Help to know when to support and when to leave them to the consequences of their own decisions.
No comments:
Post a Comment