DAY 114

FIRST LAW OF HOLES

2 Samuel 19 & 20 and Luke 18:1 – 23

Today we find David mourning over Absalom’s death, and Joab (his general) rightly pulling him up short. The people, those loyal to David, fought for him and now they are confused and embarrassed.

That snaps David into action. He goes to the city gate, symbolic of the king holding court, and he calls people back and even pardons his enemies.

Yet all is not well in paradise. You may remember that the people chose Absalom king, and he is now dead. Do they only want David back after the false king Absalom failed? (As an aside do we only decide to bring back King Jesus when our false kings have failed?)

 “The folly of their allegiance to Absalom was clear - it had brought only misery and confusion. They were on the wrong side; they had rejected their true king, and therefore the situation was full of unrest.” (Life of David by Alan Redpath)

David does what modern day politicians do; he makes a trip around the country winning people over, and for the really tough spots he sends negotiators to the tribes. One of the negotiations replaces Joab with Amasa. Amasa was Absalom’s general. I am not sure what you are thinking right now, but I am thinking, “What is he nuts!” It doesn’t take long though does it? There is a rebellion, the troops are mustered, that is except for Amasa’s, because Amasa is late.

Now I have been in the military. You do not show up late – especially for WAR! Imagine someone being late for D-day. Joab takes matters into his own hands and Amasa is dead. I am intrigued because we also meet another smart woman (there were a lot of them in the Old Testament). She sees the battle coming, realizes her village will be sacked, and has the good sense to have the leader of the rebellion killed and his head thrown out over the wall – yup, smart and did I mention…tough!

In the New Testament we get four “quick hitting” moments with Jesus. First is the Parable of the Persistent Widow. Jesus makes it simple. He tells us to pray and not lose heart for God is faithful.

He also says, “Don’t get too carried away with yourself” as he tells of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.  “God be merciful to me, a sinner”- Humility

And He continues: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belong the Kingdom of God.”

And finally, at least for today, we read, about the rich ruler and in the Markan version (10:21) it says that Jesus looked on him and “loved him.” That last line, “Jesus loved him” gives me hope. I think once you have locked eyes with Jesus and feel his love, you will be won over to God.

So what do you make of all these stories and teachings? We’ve got David trying to dig himself out of a mess (much of which he had a hand in creating). We have Jesus telling us to be prayerful, to be humble, to welcome all, and to be willing to give up that which we give us what we think is the most value. For a moment, and not judging David, but more as an “object lesson,” let me ask: “Do you think David would be in this mess if he had “Sought the Lord’s opinion on this matter” – he did that so often in the early years – he was prayerful. Do you think David would have been in this mess if he could have found the way to be the humble king, and not the father who did not discipline his kids? Do you think David would be in this mess if…well you get the idea.

Quite simply, Jesus’ words give us some very straightforward guidance on how not to dig a hole for ourselves…and we all know the first “Law of Holes” – when you find yourself in one, stop digging…or as Jesus would say, “repent.”