My Refuge

 

Synopsis     2Sam 15:7-16     1/1/2019 

Absalom consolidated power for four years. After which, he approached King David and asked permission to go to Hebron to worship God there. And David granted permission. 

However, once in Hebron, Absalom launched a conspiracy to overthrow King David and take over the monarchy in his place. 

And Absalom was clever. He had invited several prominent individuals to accompany him prior to declaring the coup. Although they had no prior knowledge of Absalom’s plans, the prominent invitees were naturally associated with Absalom’s coup attempt. As a result, many followed Absalom knowing they would be persecuted if Absalom failed.  

Soon, an informant brought news of Absalom’s coup to King David. So, David began to arrange his forces and his family to escape the coup. And he began by fleeing from Jerusalem.  

David’s Refuge 

David was uncertain of what was happening. Seemingly out of nowhere, he received this report. Absalom had declared himself king. And presumably his forces were marching toward Jerusalem. Clearly, a coup was unfolding. And it was likely to be bloody. 

No matter what, this was going to end badly for David. One the one hand, David loved his son and could not imagine wanting him dead. But on the other, he rightly wanted to live. And he wanted to reign in the kingship where God had placed him. 

Yet his uncertainty did not end there. More disturbingly, he did not know who was on his side. And he did not know who wasn’t. So, he could not really know who to trust.  

And in this moment, he sought refuge in the Lord. He chose to trust God and leave the outcomes up to Him.  

My Refuge 

Despite the explosion of technology and communications available at my fingertips, uncertainty still abounds. In fact, it’s a daily experience.  

I suppose it’s because, in human terms, life often presents itself as difficult to interpret. And on top of this difficulty, the more pressing challenge is that I don’t really know who I can trust.  

And so in this, I have an opportunity. I can choose to trust God. This is the way of David.  

And this is the Way of Givenness. 

“Therefore every loyal person should pray to you in time of distress. Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach him. You are my shelter; you guard me from distress; with joyful shouts of deliverance you surround me.” Psalm 32:7