Daily Reading & Prayer

Get Under It!

September 25, 2020

Read

2 Samuel 15:10-12, “Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. … He also sent for Ahithophel … David’s counselor … And so, the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.”2 Samuel 17:11-12, “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba — as numerous as the sand on the seashore — be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive.”

Think

It's easy to submit to an authority figure who you admire or respect, but what happens when you've lost all faith in that person? Absalom was dealing with that very situation. At a crucial time, his father didn't step up and do what was right. And, in today's reading, we see Absalom misleading people to gain popularity, conspiring with his father's counselor (who also had misplaced ambition and authority issues), and receiving bad advice. Absalom’s misplaced ambition — seeking glory for himself rather than God — caused him to make an ill-fated attempt to steal the throne away from his father, King David.Can you relate to Absalom's situation? How should we respond to the authority of someone we don't respect? The Bible tells us to obey them unless they ask us to do something illegal or immoral. So, regardless of our feelings and potential frustration, God has placed them in our lives to help guide, shape, and mold us into the person He created us to be.God is a God of authority. So, no matter your past, don't be an Absalom and misuse authority due to selfish ambition. Realize that — whether you like them or not — God is working through your leaders for your good. And when you get under what He's placed over you, it ushers in the opportunity for you to lead with humility as you get over what God's placed under you!

Act

Do you struggle with authority issues? Ask God to give you perspective and help you remain humble. Remember, even if submitting to that person is difficult now, God is molding you into the person He designed you to be!

Pray

Dear God, Thank You for the reminder, through Absalom’s story, that I should respect the authority figures You have placed over me. Thank You for shaping me into who You created me to be! Amen.

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