A Father’s Broken Heart

Friday 5-7-15  (Esquel, Argentina)

Scripture reading:     2 Sam 15-16     Ps 32     Matt 25

S.  2 Sam 15:13  A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell King David, "All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!" NLT

O.  Could anything be more distressing than to have your own son, who you dearly love, turn against you?  King David was anointed to reign over Israel years before he actually became king.  He waited, living in caves in the wilderness with his life in constant danger, until the former king, Saul, was dead by suicide… and then peacefully took the kingdom. 

Now David is an old man.  For many years his kingship has gone unchallenged, but now his handsome, clever son, Absalom, has raised an insurrection against him.  David finds himself in a quandary: On the one hand he wants the best for Absalom.  But he knows that his son is probably planning to kill him to take his throne.  So to save his own life and to leave his palace open for his rebel son to take possession without a destructive battle, David abandons almost everything he owns to once again live in wilderness caves… this time hiding from his own beloved son.

A.  It is a story of heart-break.  How many sons and daughters have broken the hearts of their mother and father!  How many times have teenagers been caught up in a spirit of rebellion!  How many times have parents been caught between hope for success for their sons and daughters as they pursue sinful life-styles!  


How many times have we broken the heart of God, our Father, as we chose a dangerous, rebellious path!  He wants the best for us, His beloved children, yet He chooses not to force us into slavery to Him.  He watches as we make our own decisions which either bring Him great gladness or perhaps shatter His tender heart into a thousand pieces.

P.  Lord God, You gave Your best for me.  You showed me a clear, safe pathway to follow.  But You have never forced my will to submit to Yours.  You have left that up to me.  You know that I have stumbled along the way.  You have heard my cries for forgiveness and renewal.  You have gently picked me up again.  You have given me another chance.  Help me to never break Your tender heart, but to willingly subdue my life to fulfill Your highest hopes and purposes for this fragile son of Yours.  Amen.

Ralph