This morning, my devotions were in 2 Sam 15: 1-12
As a backdrop, if we follow David's life we often focus on his accomplishments, and forget his personal life and failures. He was indeed a valiant-for-truth warrior under God. He also commited a great sin. For this sin he fell under the chastisement of God throughout his life, and he knew great sorrow.
This chapter opens with Absolom. He enters with a great desire to be king, and he goes about it with great pomp and ceremony. "And it came to pass after this, that Absolom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him." (verse 1). He had royal designs, and he was going to demonstrate his worthiness. His plan was to show that he deserved to be king more than did David. It is here to be noted that outward show and display will always get attention, but is it what the Lord expects or even wants of us. How much do we deign to "show" ourselves worthy by earthly presentation? Ought we not to humbly be available for God's bidding rather than rushing in, garbed in full armour. We may very well have the armour, but are we spiritually equipped?
This can lead us to the place where Absolom says, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!" (vs 4).
He was undermining the king. Look at me! Look at me! I will do better. Carry this into our Christian lives and in our evaluation of others. We are left to say, "There but for the grace of God go I." And with the Apostle Paul, "We do not frustrate the grace of God..." (Gal 2:21).
Yes, be all that we can be, but not with pomp and ceremony, but in all humility showing forth the Lord Jesus Himself. Run the race to win, but not forgetting the les fortunate who can only run, walk, crawl or wheel along.
Here I want to tell a story of heroism. It was in the Montreal Olympics. An American runner, Bruce Jenner won some five gold medals. After one victorious race, he crossed the line, carried the victory flag to great applause. He then looked back and saw a bedraggled man plodding along. Jenner waited for him. When the man crossed the line, Jenner went to him, shook his hand and reportedly said, "You finished the course."
This man was from a third world country a small island. He struggled during the marathon. Had many spills and injuries along the way. It was three hours after everyone else had finished the race, but he continued on. He happened to enter the arena just as Jenner was finishing his great race. Mr. Jenner waited for him. I have always had a very high regard for Mr. Bruce Jenner.
We ought always to run the course, but never forget that behind us are people who also ran, and we ought to extend ourselves to them, perhaps not as victors, but as fellow journeymen in this life. God bless us everyone, as Tiny Tim, the Dickens' character said.
Cheers,
Jim
