Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Who's Deciding For You?

2 Samuel 14:21
“The king said to Joab, ‘Very well, I will do it. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.”

Are women really fickle-minded? That we say one thing and in a second does another thing differently? That we are so ruled by our emotions? That we’re so indecisive, unpredictable and unreasonable? We go to a department store and exhaust all its racks for hours for the right shade, the exact size, the best deal possible and yes, still go home without a buy. We agree to a date but would readily cancel it for a pimple pop or a hairdryer malfunction, haha :>

Tris sometimes gets irritated, oftentimes amused, whenever he gives me the floor to decide where to eat and what to order and I’d make a total shift, mood included, at his slightest comment or suggestion - - which I solicited by the way. Yes, we can get away with it. But it doesn’t mean we’re right.

Joab’s scheme to bring the banished Absalom back to Jerusalem was successful. He used a witty, wise woman of Tekoah to pretend as a widow and persuade the king to give his word of protection for his treacherous son. He knew how David longed for his son and he worked around that affection to manipulate him to a decision. What pushed David more was the argument that it was God who allowed Absalom to continue to live, despite his sins, meaning mercy is still applicable to him. Joab further added it was also the pulse of the people to have this handsome young man around. And so David gave his order to fetch his son from Geshur. But he did not let him come to him. The law has been clear about murder. In not serving justice, David had to make it appear he’s not blind to his son’s crime. But even if he’s sincere in teaching his son a lesson here, there was no mention that he inquired of the Lord for HIS, not his, decision. God has already given his piece to them. David could have at least begged Him for pardon and mercy. It wasn’t his call. Not even the king was above God’s law. The chapter ended with David giving in again to Joab’s word, who was himself trapped in Absalom’s wishes. Now ungrounded and grip-loosened, David himself paved the way for the soon conspiracy of his son.

In arriving at a decision, who’s voice sound loudest to you? David consulted his feelings, and it felt right. He interpreted the situation, and it looked logical enough. He listened to the people, and they sounded… majority. He forgot Who dictates it all. He lost grip of God’s standard and so was easily swept by the dictates of everyone, including himself. We all are, not just women, indecisive, unpredictable and unreasonable because we are limited. We want but we don’t know what’s best for us. That’s why He gave us His Word and His Spirit to guide us. That’s why He invites us to a relationship with Him. That’s why we have to pray. Yes, we can choose to get away with life without Him. But we’ll never make it right. He alone can.  
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Who's Deciding For You?

2 Samuel 14:21
“The king said to Joab, ‘Very well, I will do it. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.”

Are women really fickle-minded? That we say one thing and in a second does another thing differently? That we are so ruled by our emotions? That we’re so indecisive, unpredictable and unreasonable? We go to a department store and exhaust all its racks for hours for the right shade, the exact size, the best deal possible and yes, still go home without a buy. We agree to a date but would readily cancel it for a pimple pop or a hairdryer malfunction, haha :>

Tris sometimes gets irritated, oftentimes amused, whenever he gives me the floor to decide where to eat and what to order and I’d make a total shift, mood included, at his slightest comment or suggestion - - which I solicited by the way. Yes, we can get away with it. But it doesn’t mean we’re right.

Joab’s scheme to bring the banished Absalom back to Jerusalem was successful. He used a witty, wise woman of Tekoah to pretend as a widow and persuade the king to give his word of protection for his treacherous son. He knew how David longed for his son and he worked around that affection to manipulate him to a decision. What pushed David more was the argument that it was God who allowed Absalom to continue to live, despite his sins, meaning mercy is still applicable to him. Joab further added it was also the pulse of the people to have this handsome young man around. And so David gave his order to fetch his son from Geshur. But he did not let him come to him. The law has been clear about murder. In not serving justice, David had to make it appear he’s not blind to his son’s crime. But even if he’s sincere in teaching his son a lesson here, there was no mention that he inquired of the Lord for HIS, not his, decision. God has already given his piece to them. David could have at least begged Him for pardon and mercy. It wasn’t his call. Not even the king was above God’s law. The chapter ended with David giving in again to Joab’s word, who was himself trapped in Absalom’s wishes. Now ungrounded and grip-loosened, David himself paved the way for the soon conspiracy of his son.

In arriving at a decision, who’s voice sound loudest to you? David consulted his feelings, and it felt right. He interpreted the situation, and it looked logical enough. He listened to the people, and they sounded… majority. He forgot Who dictates it all. He lost grip of God’s standard and so was easily swept by the dictates of everyone, including himself. We all are, not just women, indecisive, unpredictable and unreasonable because we are limited. We want but we don’t know what’s best for us. That’s why He gave us His Word and His Spirit to guide us. That’s why He invites us to a relationship with Him. That’s why we have to pray. Yes, we can choose to get away with life without Him. But we’ll never make it right. He alone can.