Topic: Hatred is murder
Open Prayer: Lord, let the light of your word shine into my life as I meditate on your word.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 13: 23–39
Reflection
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 12 July 2020 Message
Read v.22 and 1 John 3:15. The chain of evil events sparked off by Amnon’s lust continues. It was not long before the evil in Absalom’s heart manifested physically (vv.28). He was already guilty of murder even before he killed his brother (cf. Matthew 5:21–22). Is hatred eating you up? Sincerely cry out to God for help and forgiveness.
When you hate, you cannot forgive. Remember the King was furious with Amnon, but he did nothing to penalize him (v.21). The silence developed into another evil in the family (v.29). Deceit begets deceit; evil begets evil. Absalom successfully deceived the king to allow Amnon to attend his special harvest ceremony.
David never discerned that Absalom planned evil against his brother. Jonadab, the evil man who misadvised Amnon was also the one who brought the report of his death to the king. Who knows if he was the one who taught Absalom how to carry out his revenge mission?
Who are your friends? What influence do they have on your decisions? Absalom ran away from home and went to seek refuge in Geshur. The false rumour got to David faster than the real truth (v.30). Notice how he responded to this false news. No doubt, David was now reaping the fruit of ignoring his parental responsibilities.
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• And so? Has God given you any responsibility? Make sure you diligently fulfil it.
Judgement
Judgement is a judicial pronouncement of guilt or acquittal of an accused person. God’s judgement is always associated with sin and disobedience. Sin brought the judgement of God on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the confusion of tongues at Babel, the flood on the then world, destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the plagues on the Egyptians culminating in the death or the first born sons of the Egyptians. The future judgement will be determined by what we make of ourselves while on earth. This should help us to commit ourselves to live for Christ.
Prayer Points
• Pray for the family of your leaders (secular and spiritual). They often can be too busy to take adequate care of their families.
• Pray for Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship and such others that run ministries to professionals.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Numbers 24:5
Read the Bible in one Year
Psalms 7–9; Acts 10:1–23
Scripture Union Daily Guide 12 July 2020 – Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
