Readings for the day: 2 Samuel 19, 20, 21 and Psalms 5, 38, 42
We are a fickle people by nature. Driven by our emotions, we struggle to forgive. Struggle to reconcile. Struggle to work past our pain. Our differences. Our jealousies. Our frustrations. Our failures. This struggle leads to division as we each go our own way.
- David grieves for his son Absalom and almost loses his kingdom a second time.
- The ten tribes of Israel grow jealous of the tribe of Judah and rebel a second time under the leadership of Sheba.
- Shimei comes before the king seeking forgiveness for his rash words when David was fleeing for his life. Abishai wants to execute him on the spot.
- Mephibosheth and Ziba both lay claim to the king’s favor.
- Joab kills Amasa in cold blood out of anger at being relieved of command.
- Israel suffers because of an ungodly act committed by King Saul against the Gibeonites and makes atonement through human sacrifice.
We humans have a tendency to make a mess of things. It is just so hard for us to take a step back and see the bigger picture. We are highly reactive creatures. Refusing to give others the benefit of the doubt. Refusing to extend grace to those who have hurt us or disappointed us or let us down. We would much rather hold onto our anger. Hold onto our pain. Keep a detailed record of wrongs that we can trot out anytime we feel threatened or afraid. We justify our actions or inactions and the cycle of division continues.
Think about how we do life these days. We jump from church to church to church, never really putting down roots. Just as soon as we are let down or disappointed, we move on. Always with a “godly” justification, of course. “I’m not being fed.” “I don’t feel connected.” “I don’t like this pastor or that leader or they didn’t meet my needs.” It’s just easier to move down the street to the next church rather than work through our issues.
Think about the number of different denominations that exist today. While some diversity may be legitimate, the fact that we divide over such petty, non-essential issues is a stain on the Body of Christ. It is direct rebellion against the command of our Lord to be one, even as He and the Father are one.
But it’s not just churches who have this issue. It is society as a whole. Republicans and Democrats can’t even exist in the same room anymore. Conservatives and liberals see themselves as mortal enemies. How many parents have I watched switch their kid to a different sports team rather than work through disappointment and conflict? (Seriously, how many different soccer or baseball clubs do we really need in Parker?) How many schools and teachers have watched families walk out their door because of a bad experience rather than sit down and work through the issues? The examples are legion in our culture today.
Division leads to weakness. The inability to face our fears, admit our failures, and work through problems creates a lack of resiliency in both the individual and society as a whole. Emotional. Spiritual. Even physical. We simply lack the capacity to process our pain and disappointments in a healthy way. We look for someone to blame. We attack. We accuse. We react. We rush in. And the results are often tragic.
So what’s the answer? Confession. “For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me...I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning...I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.” (Psalms 38:4, 6, 8-9) Humility. “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.” (Psalms 5:7-8) Seek God. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalms 42:1-2)