In Need Of That Comfort….

David may have been a “man after God’s own heart”, but he certainly wasn’t flawless. Numerous times he had to be told what he didn’t want to hear. Nathan the prophet confronted him about the Bathsheba incident. And here we have Joab confronting him about his reacting to his son Absalom’s death. Each time, David had to hear tough words from those close to him. Do you ever have the courage to tell people what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear, the truth? Do you do it in a respectful and God-honoring way? Do you like to hear truthful words when you’re not walking with God closely? Do you react and respond like David did? I don’t know exactly where I fit on this line of “telling and receiving truth” at times when I don’t expect it, but I do know that when I’m pursuing God daily, they are much easier to except. Maybe that’s why David reacted responsibly. Ask God to draw near to you today; you just might be in need of that comfort.

Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. 2 As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. 3 They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle. 4 The king covered his face with his hands and kept on crying, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”5 Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves. 6 You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. 7 Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”8 So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him. 2 Samuel 19:1-8a