God's Love and the Day That Broke David's Heart

Follow Along with the Message

"Then David numbered the people who were with him and set them over commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. (5) The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 'Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.' And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning Absalom. (6) Then the people went into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. (7) The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men. (9) Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going. (10) When a certain man saw it, he told Joab and said, 'Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.' (14) Then Joab said, 'I will not waste time here with you.' So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. (33) The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And thus he said as he walked, 'O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I
had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!' " (2 Samuel 18:1, 5-7, 9-10, 14, 33).

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Not a universal promise. Doesn't apply to every person. ONLY those who live in surrendered faith. Love and obedience.

HUGE promise! Vast. Comprehensive. The believer will look back over life and see that
EVERYTHING was captured and employed in the pursuit of GOOD.
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result" (Genesis 50:20).

Consider David's life and the Romans 8:28 promise.

--It Doesn't Mean There Won't Be Days of Grief

David attempts to avoid the inevitable outcome. Not to be.

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and
follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).

A call to bravery. Carry it!

--It Doesn't Mean People Will Always Be Fair or Loyal

Joab is a thorn. David's nephew. At times very loyal. At other times dismissive and
insubordinate.

"Make every effort to come to me soon for Demas having loved this present world has
abandoned me. . .only Luke is with me. . .pick up Mark and bring him. . .Alexander the
coppersmith did me much harm, the Lord will repay him according to his deeds" (2
Timothy 4:9-14).

"But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me" (2 Timothy 4:17).

--It Doesn't Mean There Won't Be Days of Duty With A Broken Heart

Joab--19:7. " If you don't go and encourage those troops, today will be the beginning of your worst chapter."

The leadership task! Duty centered. Feelings to be set aside.

"What does the Lord REQUIRE of you?" (Micah 6:8).

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"Surely our griefs He Himself bore and our sorrows He carried" (Isaiah 53:4).
Carried our sorrows away? Or carried griefs like ours? (Comes with sympathy to give inner strength.)

Give yourself to Me in Christ, I will be active in your life, supplying strength, guiding the
outcome of your days to joyful, good end.

"Though the Devil may hate us, he can never separate us from the wonderful love of God" (Mark Lowry, Romans 8:39).

David weathered this storm. The nation stabilized. Peace and joy and productive service
returned. Exactly what God promises us.