A Royal Mess

Saturday 5-7-2016  (Pico Truncado, Argentina) 

Scripture Reading:  2 Sam 13 -14    Matt 24

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  2 Sam 13:37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead. NKJV

O. The royal palace had become a bloody royal mess. It was the result of King David having multiple wives and concubines. His sons and daughters were many, being half-brothers or half sisters, sharing only the same father. It was a situation destined for tragedy... illicit love... jealousy... hatred... then drunken parties and now murder. We often congratulate King David for some of his attitudes, but as a father to his many sons and daughters, he failed miserably.

A. It is easy for a minister to get so busy in the Lord’s work that he fails to care properly for his family. This is even exaggerated if money is easy to come by. Children can be spoiled by getting every trinket they want... to substitute for a parent that is too busy to give his or her quality time.

P. Lord, sometimes I wish I could go back in time and be a better father to my three sons. But the past is gone. I can only pray for them and encourage them, for now they are middle aged men and making all their own decisions. Give each of them a heart anxious to hear from You.  And I ask You to speak Your love and care for them into their hearts. Melt them with Your mercy and grace just as You have done for me.  Amen.

Ralph