Read: 2 Samuel 15:1-12
Meditation: We live in a dog-eat-dog world. It is apparent
that David lived in the same thing. The lure of power was as strong then
as it is now, and it is apparent that like today, greed can bring son
against father. So it was in this time that David was conspired against
by his son Absalom. Absalom was very discreet in his attempts to take
the kingdom from his father. After receiving many of the praises and
offerings offered only to a king, Absalom finally sent messengers to
spread rumors, he summoned David's counselor to come and serve him, and
eventually led many people into his following. Even an established kind
like David was successfully conspired against. It can happen to anyone.
No one is above it. Only God is bigger and only God can comfort and
strengthen us in the face of it. David understood this, do we?
Prayer Starter: Heavenly Father, thank You for keeping me safe
from my enemies. Even when it seems they have the upper hand, help me to
look to You for comfort and retaliation. Only You can guide me in the
midst of my enemies. 
Read: 2 Samuel 15:13-25
Meditation: Calamity and conspiracy are not always as bad as they
sound. If nothing else they allow us to realize who our true friends are.
Sure they bring sadness and grief to our lives and attempt to kill our
spirit, but God is bigger than all of that. David was grief stricken by all
that had happened, but he had faith in his God, and was willing to suffer if
it was His will: "But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,' then I
am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him" (vs. 26). David
was fleeing from his homeland, but he was not fleeing from his God.
When struggles confront us, like David, we do not have to lose faith. We
may have to flee from certain things in our life, but no one or nothing can
tear us apart from our God. Even in the midst of our mourning God is still
all-powerful and in control of our lives.
Prayer Starter: Most Gracious Heavenly Father, keep me strong in
the face of adversity. Give me the faith to withstand the struggles of this
world and never let me turn away from You.
Read: 2 Samuel 16:5-14
Meditation: As we walk further down our struggling road there are
people who will confront us, hurl insults at us, and try to continue our
fall. Our response to that is usually one of retaliation. If not by us
personally than certainly by those who are supporting us. However, if we
choose to take the route that David took, we come to understand that this is
usually not the answer. Yes, even in the midst of this kind of attack, we
can learn something! Following David's example we learn it is God's
retaliation not ours. After all, how are to know whether or not God is
teaching us through the remarks that people make. David was willing to wait
it out, to continue to struggle, for the sake of knowing God's will for his
life. There is refreshment somewhere down the road and if we wait for God to
speak to us, we will find that refreshment at just the right time.
Prayer Starter: Father, cool my temper and my need to retaliate on
my own. Help me to learn even through the bad words that are spoken about
me. Help me to be patient and let You lead me to the refreshment that awaits
at the end of my drought.
Read: 2 Samuel 17:1-29
Meditation: As always happens, those who conspire and achieve
continue to conspire and achieve. Their success only encourages them to want
more. In the camp of the deceivers, much advice and many plans are offered
up in an attempt to further their hold on the present situation. But God is
aware. God is present. God is ready to use it to bring glory to those who
serve Him. When men rely on their selfish plans, destruction is usually
around the corner. God had not left David. He had not forsaken him. In fact,
God was about to deliver him. And so Absalom set out with his foolish plan
to end the threat of David himself, but the result was much different than
what had been planned. As we will see tomorrow, God protected David and sent
destruction upon Absalom.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for Your protection in the face
of many deceivers. Help me to remain firm in my faith for You promise to
bring justice on those who conspire against me. Help me to be patient and
not get in the way of Your plan for my life.
Read: 2 Samuel 18:1-18
Meditation: And so the end came. Absalom, in all of his power and
majesty (all which was self-made and not consecrated by God) is brought to
his end by a tree. It wasn't battle that ended his life, it was a moment of
focus (or lack there of). That's how God works. We would have it one way and
yet God works it another.
David however, was not at all enthused about the upcoming events. David
had enough faith in God that he would be delivered, but he had already began
to mourn about his sons upcoming death. That's the compassion of David. Even
though Absalom had stripped his kingdom from him, he was still concerned.
David knew his standing with God. He feared Absalom's lack of standing
with God. All in all, David was delivered. He would return to Jerusalem and
continue his reign until his death. David continued growing throughout his
life even after he had achieved so much. David had again been called to
struggle and again answered the call by exemplifying true faith. Our lives
are not complete when we achieve a perceived earthly success. Rather, our
lives are complete when the Lord takes us home. Let us present ourselves to
our Lord as David did. Let us be willing to suffer even in the greatest
times of our lives. Our success does not come from earthly perception,
rather, it comes through our faith in our Creator.
Prayer Starter: Father, give me the faith to continue to hope in
the midst of struggle. Give me the faith to persevere in the face of
adversity. Do not lead me into the temptation of living for earthly success,
but allow me to look to You, and be willing to give these earthly things up,
for a deep, personal relationship with You.
Read: Psalm 3
Meditation:
We have looked at the events of David's retreat from Jerusalem,
but what about what David was feeling? We know that he was weeping and
mourning, but how deep was it? This Psalm gives us a glimpse into the
mind-set of David during this time of struggle. David was true with God
in telling Him his feelings. He did not try to hide his emotions from
Him, but he also didn't hide his faith in Him. David never forgot to
give God his praise and this Psalm shows it.
We will face struggle. Struggle does not mean that we are to hide our
true emotions from our Creator. God wants us to come to Him with our
true emotions, but do not forget to give Him praise. Don't forget His
promise to us. He will provide even in the midst of our struggle.
Remember, His power is made perfect in our weakness.
Prayer Starter: Father, I come before You today with my true
emotions...[insert true emotions here]. With that said, I come before
You with a strong faith in Your promises to me. I will persevere. I will
move on. I will only do this through Your guidance and Your strength.
Praise to You, Father, You are my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
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