The Daily Dose

Division

And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said: “We have no share in David, Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel!” ~ 2 Samuel 20:1

 Have you ever been in a room where one person says something that changes the entire atmosphere? Maybe everything was going well until someone made one comment, and suddenly everybody had an opinion. It’s amazing how quickly one voice can stir up an entire crowd.

We’ve all seen it happen. One comment in a group chat can turn into twenty responses before you’ve even finished reading the first message. One rumor at work can spread faster than the truth. One offended person can convince everyone else that they should be offended too.

Today’s scripture reading begins with exactly that kind of division. Sheba stood up, sounded the trumpet, and called Israel to turn against David. What began with one man’s rebellion quickly created division throughout the kingdom. It reminds us that voices matter. What we say can bring people together, or it can pull them apart.

As God’s people, we’re called to be careful about which voices we listen to and what kind of voice we become. This chapter gives us three important lessons about guarding our hearts, handling conflict wisely, and recognizing that sometimes one courageous voice can bring peace where another creates chaos.

Below are 3 truths from today’s passage to consider:

1. Be careful which voices you allow to influence you.

Sheba didn’t have to convince everyone individually. He simply spoke loudly enough to stir something that was already unsettled in their hearts. Not every loud voice deserves a place in your life.

We live surrounded by opinions. Social media, podcasts, news, friends, coworkers, family members, and even our own thoughts are constantly telling us what we should think, feel, and do. If we’re not careful, we’ll start following the loudest voice instead of listening for God’s voice.

Maybe someone is constantly criticizing your church, your family, your job, or another person you know. At first, you may not think much about it, but eventually their negativity begins affecting how you see the situation.

Before you accept someone’s opinion as truth, take it to God’s Word. Ask, “Is this what God says, or is this simply what someone feels?” You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.

2. Don’t allow offense to become an invitation to division.

The beginning of this chapter reveals that there was already tension among the people. Sheba found an opportunity to take that tension and turn it into rebellion.

Offense works the same way today. One hurt feeling can quickly turn into resentment and then turn to bitterness. Bitterness can cause isolation and before long, you’re building an entire case against someone who may not even know you’re upset. If you’re honest, sometimes you’ve had conversations with people in your head that never actually happened. You answered questions they never asked, won arguments they didn’t know they were having, and walked away feeling exhausted from a conversation that existed entirely in your imagination.

When you’re hurt, take the situation to God before taking it to everyone else. If a conversation needs to happen, have it with the person involved. If forgiveness is needed, ask God for the grace to give it. If a boundary is necessary, establish it with wisdom. Don’t let an offense become a doorway for division.

3. God can use one wise voice to stop what many voices started.

One of the most powerful moments in this chapter comes from an unnamed wise woman in the city of Abel. Joab’s army had surrounded the city because Sheba had taken refuge there. Instead of allowing destruction to continue, this woman approached Joab and spoke with wisdom.

She recognized what was happening and acted. Her courage and wisdom ultimately saved the city. She didn’t have a title. She wasn’t introduced as a famous leader. We don’t even know her name. But she understood that someone needed to speak up.

That should encourage us. You don’t have to have a platform to make a difference. Maybe you’re the person in your family who can bring peace to a difficult conversation. Maybe you can stop gossip in its tracks by refusing to participate. Maybe you can encourage someone who is struggling instead of joining the criticism. Maybe you can speak truth gently when everyone else is reacting emotionally. Never underestimate what God can do through one person who is willing to use wisdom and courage.

This passage reminds us that division often begins with a voice, but peace can begin with one too. We can’t control every voice around us, but we can choose which voices we listen to, what we allow into our hearts, and what comes out of our own mouths.

As followers of Christ, our words should carry something different. They should bring truth without cruelty, correction without condemnation, and courage without pride. We don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is quietly speak what is right and then let God handle the outcome.

Today I want to encourage you to guard your heart and your ears. Pay attention to the voices you’re allowing to shape your thoughts, especially when you’re tired, hurt, or frustrated. Don’t let someone else’s offense become your offense, and don’t allow a difficult situation to turn you into a person who adds to the division. Ask God to make you a voice of wisdom, peace, truth, and encouragement. You may never know how much your words matter to someone else, but God does. When you choose to listen to Him and speak from a heart surrendered to Him, your voice can become part of the healing instead of part of the hurt.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Samuel 20

1 And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said: “We have no share in David, Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel!”

2 So every man of Israel deserted David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem, remained loyal to their king.

3 Now David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in seclusion and supported them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.

4 And the king said to Amasa, “Assemble the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself.” 

5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah. But he delayed longer than the set time which David had appointed him. 

6 And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he find for himself fortified cities, and escape us.” 

7 So Joab’s men, with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty men, went out after him. And they went out of Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 

8 When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. Now Joab was dressed in battle armor; on it was a belt with a sword fastened in its sheath at his hips; and as he was going forward, it fell out. 

9 Then Joab said to Amasa, “Are you in health, my brother?” And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 

10 But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab’s hand. And he struck him with it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died.

Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 

11 Meanwhile one of Joab’s men stood near Amasa, and said, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David—follow Joab!” 

12 But Amasa wallowed in his blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came upon him halted. 

13 When he was removed from the highway, all the people went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.

14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maachah and all the Berites. So they were gathered together and also went after Sheba. 

15 Then they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maachah; and they cast up a siege mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart. And all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down.

16 Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’ ” 

17 When he had come near to her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?”

He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.”

18 So she spoke, saying, “They used to talk in former times, saying, ‘They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,’ and so they would end disputes. 

19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?”

20 And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! 

21 That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.”

So the woman said to Joab, “Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 

22 Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

23And Joab was over all the army of Israel; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; 

24 Adoram was in charge of revenue; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 

25 Sheva was scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were the priests; 26and Ira the Jairite was a chief minister under David.

Journal:

• What voices have been influencing my thoughts and attitudes lately? Are they drawing me closer to God or pulling me away from Him?
• Is there an offense I’ve allowed to grow into resentment or division?
• Have I been participating in conversations that God may be asking me to step away from?
• Is there a situation where God may be asking me to speak with wisdom and courage?
• What is one way I can intentionally use my words this week to bring peace and encouragement to someone else?

Hope for Tomorrow

 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?” ~ 2 Samuel 19:10

 Have you ever been so focused on what went wrong that you almost missed what God was doing next? Maybe you replayed a conversation in your mind seventeen times, wondering what you should have said differently. Or perhaps you’ve spent so much time thinking about yesterday that you didn’t notice God opening a door for tomorrow. Sometimes we can stare so long at the rearview mirror that we forget we’re still driving.

Today’s scripture reading is a chapter about coming back. David had experienced devastating loss, deep grief, betrayal, and conflict. Now his people were calling him back to Jerusalem and restoring him as king. But returning wasn’t as simple as walking through the city gates. There were relationships to repair, people to forgive, difficult conversations to have, and decisions to make. David’s story reminds us that when God gives us another opportunity, we need wisdom to know how to move forward.

Here are three truths about leaving yesterday in God’s hands, extending grace, and faithfully stepping into the next thing He has for us.

1. Don’t let yesterday keep you from stepping into tomorrow.

David had every reason to stay away. His own son had rebelled against him, his kingdom had been divided, and his heart was broken. Yet God was bringing him back.

There are seasons when you’ve been hurt so deeply that moving forward feels almost impossible. You may have experienced betrayal, disappointment, rejection, or a failure you’d rather forget. Sometimes we convince ourselves that staying guarded will keep us from ever being hurt again. But God doesn’t call us to live in yesterday. He gives us strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

Maybe you’ve been hesitant to try again because something didn’t work the first time. Maybe you stepped into ministry and were disappointed. Maybe a relationship ended painfully, and now you’re afraid to trust again. Maybe you made a mistake and you’ve allowed it to become part of your identity.

Your past can teach you, but it doesn’t have to define you. Ask God what your next faithful step looks like. It may be small. It may simply be saying yes to an opportunity you’ve been afraid to pursue or opening your heart to a new relationship. You don’t have to have the entire road mapped out. You just need to be willing to take the next step and ask Him for help to accomplish it.

2. Grace gives people room to come back.

One of the most beautiful moments in this chapter is David’s response toward people who had previously opposed him. Shimei had cursed David when he was fleeing Jerusalem, yet when David returned, Shimei came to meet him and asked for forgiveness.

David could have used his position to punish him. Instead, he chose mercy. That doesn’t mean David ignored what happened. It means he chose not to allow someone else’s worst moment to determine their entire future.

We need this kind of grace today. People make mistakes. They say things they shouldn’t say. They disappoint us. Sometimes they hurt us deeply. And yes, there are times when boundaries are necessary. Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending something didn’t happen or putting yourself back into an unhealthy situation.

But forgiveness does mean refusing to let bitterness become the boss of your heart. Maybe someone has apologized to you, but you’re still holding their past over their head. Ask God to help you know what forgiveness looks like in that situation. Perhaps you need to release an offense, have an honest conversation, or simply stop rehearsing what happened every time their name comes up. Grace doesn’t erase wisdom. It allows wisdom and mercy to work together.

3. Don’t compare your assignment with someone else’s.

At the end of the chapter, David encounters Barzillai, an older man who had faithfully supported him during his difficult season. David wanted to bless him and bring him to Jerusalem, but Barzillai recognized that his season of life called for something different. He knew what he could and couldn’t do. That’s wisdom.

We live in a world where it’s so very easy to compare our lives with everyone else’s. Social media can make it seem like everyone is traveling, succeeding, building businesses, raising perfect families, and drinking coffee in beautifully decorated kitchens while we’re standing in the kitchen wondering why the dishwasher is making that noise again.

But God hasn’t called you to someone else’s assignment. Maybe someone else’s ministry looks bigger than yours. Maybe another person’s career seems to be moving faster. Maybe you’re watching someone receive the opportunity you’ve been praying about for years.

Don’t allow comparison to make you question God’s plan for your life. Ask Him, “What are You asking me to do in this season?” Then be faithful with that.

David’s return to Jerusalem wasn’t the end of his challenges, but it was a new beginning. God was restoring what had been broken and giving David another opportunity to lead. The same God who helped David navigate betrayal, grief, conflict, and uncertainty was still with him as he stepped into what came next. And don’t forget, He’s with you too.

Today I want to encourage you not to let what happened yesterday determine what you believe God can do today and tomorrow. You may have experienced things you never expected, relationships may have changed, plans may have fallen apart, and you may still carry some questions that don’t have answers. But God is not finished writing your story. Let Him heal what needs healing, forgive what needs releasing, and give you courage for the next step. You don’t have to rush into tomorrow, but you don’t have to be afraid of it either. When God says it’s time to move forward, trust Him enough to take the step. There is still purpose ahead of you, and the best part is that you don’t have to walk into it alone.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Samuel 19

1 And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 

2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” 

3 And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 

4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, 

6 in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. 

7 Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.” 

8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king.

For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.

9 Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom. 

10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?”

11 So King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house? 

12 You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’ 

13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’” 

14 So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants!”

15 Then the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to escort the king across the Jordan. 

16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 

17 There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over the Jordan before the king. 

18 Then a ferryboat went across to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good.

Now Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had crossed the Jordan. 

19 Then he said to the king, “Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart. 

20 For I, your servant, know that I have sinned. Therefore here I am, the first to come today of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”

21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?”

22 And David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?” 

23 Therefore the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him.

David and Mephibosheth Meet

24 Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace. 

25 So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”

26 And he answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,’ because your servant is lame. 

27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes. 

28 For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?”

29 So the king said to him, “Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, ‘You and Ziba divide the land.’ ”

30 Then Mephibosheth said to the king, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.”

31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. 

32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. 

33 And the king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem.”

34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 

35 I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king? 

36 Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward? 

37 Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.”

38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you.” 

39 Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place.

40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel. 

41 Just then all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brethren, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king, his household, and all David’s men with him across the Jordan?”

42 So all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?”

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. Why then do you despise us—were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?” Yet the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

Journal:

• Is there something from my past that I’ve allowed to keep me from moving forward?
• Is there someone I need to forgive or extend grace toward? What would that look like in a healthy and wise way?
• Where have I been comparing my life, calling, or progress with someone else’s?
• What do I believe God may be asking me to do in this season?
• What is one small step I can take this week toward the next thing God has for me?

Torn between Victory and Loss

 _{Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. ~ 2 Samuel 18:33}

Have you ever experienced a moment when life handed you two completely opposite emotions at the same time? Maybe you celebrated a promotion while grieving the loss of someone you loved. Perhaps your child reached a major milestone, yet you wished someone who was no longer here could have seen it. Life has a way of mixing joy and sorrow into the same day.  There are just some days in life when you don’t quite know whether to smile or cry.

Today’s scripture reading is one of those chapters. David’s army experienced victory, but David’s heart experienced unimaginable loss. His son Absalom, who had rebelled against him, was killed in battle. Although the kingdom was preserved, David mourned the death of his son. This chapter reminds us that following God doesn’t mean we’ll never experience heartbreak, but it does assure us that we’ll never have to walk through it alone.

Here are three truths that can strengthen our hearts when life feels complicated:

1. You can trust God even when your emotions are overwhelming.

David loved his son, even though Absalom had betrayed him. His grief was real, and he didn’t pretend otherwise. Sometimes we think faith means hiding our emotions. We smile at church, say we’re doing fine, and quietly carry heavy burdens. But throughout Scripture, we see people bringing their honest feelings before God.

Maybe you’re grieving a broken relationship, facing uncertainty about your future, or carrying disappointment that no one else sees. God isn’t intimidated by your emotions. He welcomes you to bring every fear, every question, and every tear into His presence. Faith isn’t pretending everything is okay. Faith is believing God is still good when life isn’t.

2. Don’t let painful seasons cause you to lose sight of God’s faithfulness.

David’s victory was overshadowed by his grief. Joab eventually reminded him that while his sorrow was understandable, there were people who had faithfully stood beside him and needed his encouragement. Pain has a way of narrowing our focus. When we’re hurting, it’s easy to miss the ways God is still working around us.

Maybe you’ve been so focused on one unanswered prayer that you’ve overlooked the many prayers God has already answered. Perhaps one closed door has caused you to forget the doors He has faithfully opened. Take time to thank God for His faithfulness, even while you’re waiting for healing in another area of your life. Thankfulness doesn’t erase pain, but it helps us remember that God is still present in the middle of it.

3. Let God’s purpose carry you forward.

David couldn’t stay in the place of mourning forever. The people needed their king, and God’s purpose for David’s life wasn’t finished. There are seasons when we need to grieve, and that’s healthy. But there also comes a time when God gently says, “Take the next step.”

That next step may simply be getting out of bed, making the phone call you’ve been avoiding, returning to church, serving someone else, or opening your Bible again after a difficult season. You don’t have to have everything figured out before moving forward. God leads us one step at a time, giving us enough grace for today instead of the entire journey.

This passage reminds us that life isn’t always simple. There will be seasons when our hearts rejoice over one blessing while grieving another loss. Yet through it all, God remains faithful. He walks beside us in our victories, comforts us in our sorrow, and gives us strength to continue fulfilling His purpose.

Today I want to encourage you to bring every emotion to the Lord without fear or hesitation. He knows your heart better than anyone else, and He cares deeply about every burden you carry. Don’t allow disappointment or grief to convince you that God has stopped working. Even when you can’t see the full picture, He is still leading you with wisdom, surrounding you with His love, and preparing you for what lies ahead. Hold on to Him, take the next faithful step, and trust that He will carry you through every season with grace.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Samuel 18

1 And David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 

2 Then David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I also will surely go out with you myself.”

3 But the people answered, “You shall not go out! For if we flee away, they will not care about us; nor if half of us die, will they care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us now. For you are now more help to us in the city.”

4 Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands. 

5 Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains orders concerning Absalom.

6 So the people went out into the field of battle against Israel. And the battle was in the woods of Ephraim. 

7 The people of Israel were overthrown there before the servants of David, and a great slaughter of twenty thousand took place there that day. 

8 For the battle there was scattered over the face of the whole countryside, and the woods devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

9 Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on. 

10 Now a certain man saw it and told Joab, and said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in a terebinth tree!”

11 So Joab said to the man who told him, “You just saw him! And why did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a belt.”

12 But the man said to Joab, “Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!’ 

13 Otherwise I would have dealt falsely against my own life. For there is nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.”

14  Then Joab said, “I cannot linger with you.” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. 

15 And ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, and struck and killed him.

16 So Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people. 

17 And they took Absalom and cast him into a large pit in the woods, and laid a very large heap of stones over him. Then all Israel fled, everyone to his tent.

18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up a pillar for himself, which is in the King’s Valley. For he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name. And to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

David Hears of Absalom’s Death

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run now and take the news to the king, how the Lord has avenged him of his enemies.”

20 And Joab said to him, “You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the king’s son is dead.” 

21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran.

22 And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.”

So Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?”

23 “But whatever happens,” he said, “let me run.”

So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate, to the wall, lifted his eyes and looked, and there was a man, running alone. 

25 Then the watchman cried out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he came rapidly and drew near.

26 Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “There is another man, running alone!” And the king said, “He also brings news.”

27 So the watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.”

And the king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”

28 So Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “All is well!” Then he bowed down with his face to the earth before the king, and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king!”

29 The king said, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about.”

30 And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.

31 Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “There is good news, my lord the king! For the Lord has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you.”

32 And the king said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

So the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!”

David’s Mourning for Absalom

33 Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”

Journal:

• Is there a situation where I’ve been carrying grief or disappointment without bringing it honestly before God?
• What blessings or signs of God’s faithfulness can I thank Him for today, even in the middle of a difficult season?
• What is one small step of faith God may be asking me to take as I continue moving forward?

God’s got your back

 So, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom. ~ 2 Samuel 17:14

 Have you ever wondered how many times God has protected you without you even knowing it? We thank Him for the prayers He answered, the doors He opened, and the blessings we can clearly see. But what about the accidents that never happened, the bad decisions you never made, or the conversations you were never invited into? Sometimes God’s greatest miracles are the ones we never realize He did because He stopped the enemy before we ever knew there was a battle.

That is exactly what happened in today’s reading. David had no idea that while he was fleeing for his life, God was already fighting for him behind the scenes. Ahithophel gave brilliant military advice that would have almost guaranteed David’s defeat. Yet God intervened. He caused Absalom to reject the better plan and follow Hushai’s counsel instead. It wasn’t because Hushai’s strategy was superior. It was because God had already decided David would be protected. The enemy thought he had the upper hand, but God quietly reminded everyone who was really in charge.

If God protected David that way, He is still able to protect His people today. Here are three reminders that show that God’s got your back still today.

1. God Is Fighting Battles You Can’t See

David didn’t know what conversations were happening in Absalom’s camp. He wasn’t trying to manipulate people or control the outcome. While David rested in God’s care, the Lord was already turning the enemy’s plans upside down.

You can also trust God even when you don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes. Maybe you’re waiting to hear about a job, praying over one of your children, or asking God to restore a relationship. It may feel like nothing is happening, but God may already be working in places you cannot see. He can change hearts, redirect decisions, and arrange circumstances in ways no human being ever could. Just because you don’t see God moving doesn’t mean He has stopped working.

2. God Can Turn the Enemy’s Best Plan Into His Biggest Defeat

Ahithophel’s advice was excellent. Humanly speaking, it should have worked. But no strategy is greater than God’s purpose. The very plan designed to destroy David became the beginning of Absalom’s downfall. The enemy may have a plan, but God always has the final word.

Stop giving so much attention to what the enemy is doing and start thanking God for what He is able to do. Maybe fear keeps reminding you of everything that could go wrong. Instead of rehearsing worst case scenarios, begin thanking God for His protection, His wisdom, and His faithfulness. Fear grows when we feed it. Faith grows when we feed on God’s promises in His word. The enemy may think he’s winning, but God has already written the last chapter.

3. God Uses Ordinary People to Accomplish Extraordinary Things

Hushai, Jonathan, Ahimaaz, a courageous woman with a well, and friends who brought food to David all played important roles in God’s plan. None of them were sitting on a throne, but God worked through every one of them. Sometimes the greatest victories come through simple acts of obedience.

Don’t underestimate the importance of what God has asked you to do today. Your encouragement may strengthen someone who is ready to give up. Your prayer may help someone keep believing. Your act of kindness may remind someone that God sees them. You don’t have to stand on a stage to make an eternal difference. God has a wonderful way of turning ordinary people into Kingdom difference makers.

I’ve seen this in my own life more times than I can count. There have been situations where I thought I had to figure everything out myself, only to discover later that God had already gone ahead of me. He put the right people in my path, closed doors that would have taken me in the wrong direction, and opened opportunities I never could have created on my own. Looking back, I can clearly see His fingerprints on circumstances that seemed completely ordinary at the time. What I thought was coincidence was actually God’s protection and provision all along. He truly had my back, even when I didn’t realize I needed protecting.

Today I want to encourage you to trust that God’s got your back. You may not see everything He is doing today, but He is faithfully working on your behalf. Don’t become discouraged when life feels uncertain or when the enemy seems to have a plan. God is greater than every obstacle, every scheme, and every attack. Continue walking in obedience, keep your eyes on Him, and rest in the confidence that your Heavenly Father is watching over you. The same God who protected David is still protecting His children today, and nothing can stop His good plans for your life.

Here are some ways to live this out today.

• Begin your day by thanking God for His protection before you see the answers.
• When fear tries to imagine the worst, replace those thoughts with God’s promises.
• Pray for wisdom instead of trying to control every situation yourself.
• Look for opportunities to quietly encourage or help someone today.
• End your day by thanking God for the ways He protected you, even the ones you may never know about.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Samuel 17

1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 

2 I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. 

3 Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.” 

4 And the saying pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he says too.” 

6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken in this manner. Shall we do as he says? If not, speak up.”

7 So Hushai said to Absalom: “The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time. 

8 For,” said Hushai, “you know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are enraged in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not camp with the people. 

9 Surely by now he is hidden in some pit, or in some other place. And it will be, when some of them are overthrown at the first, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ 

10 And even he who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt completely. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men. 

11 Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 

12 So we will come upon him in some place where he may be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground. And of him and all the men who are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 

13 Moreover, if he has withdrawn into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city; and we will pull it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there.”

14 So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring disaster on Absalom.

15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised. 

16 Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, ‘Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’ ” 

17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at En Rogel, for they dared not be seen coming into the city; so a female servant would come and tell them, and they would go and tell King David. 

18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom. But both of them went away quickly and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down into it. 

19 Then the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the thing was not known. 

20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” So the woman said to them, “They have gone over the water brook.” And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 

21 Now it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said to David, “Arise and cross over the water quickly. For thus has Ahithophel advised against you.” 

22 So David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed over the Jordan. By morning light not one of them was left who had not gone over the Jordan.

23 Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb.

24 Then David went to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 

25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 

26 So Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

27 Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 

28 brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, 

29 honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Journal:

• Can I think of a time when I realized later that God had protected me?
• What situation am I trying to control instead of trusting God with?
• Where do I need to believe that God is working behind the scenes?
• How can I become part of God’s plan by serving someone else this week?
• What promise from God’s Word reminds me that He is watching over me?

When someone throws stones

“It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” ~ 2 Samuel 16:12

 Have you ever had someone completely misunderstand your motives or say something about you that simply wasn’t true? Maybe you’ve been criticized for doing the right thing, judged unfairly, or had someone speak harsh words that cut deeper than you expected. If we’re honest, our first response is often to defend ourselves, set the record straight, or think of a really clever comeback that we wish we would’ve said three minutes earlier. Funny how those always come to us on the drive home!

David found himself in a heartbreaking situation in today’s reading. His own son, Absalom, had stolen the hearts of the people and taken over the kingdom. As David fled Jerusalem, a man named Shimei came out throwing stones, kicking up dust, and cursing him every step of the way. David’s mighty warrior, Abishai, immediately wanted to put a stop to it. His solution was simple, remove the problem.

David had a different perspective. Instead of reacting in anger, he trusted God to be his defender. He believed that if he humbled himself before the Lord, God would see his affliction and ultimately turn the situation around for good. That response shows us several powerful lessons for our own lives.

Here are three truths we can hold onto when criticism, unfair treatment, or difficult people come our way.

1. Not Every Attack Needs Your Response

Abishai was ready for action. David was ready to trust God. Sometimes we spend far too much energy trying to defend ourselves against every negative comment, every misunderstanding, or every opinion someone has about us. While there are certainly times to speak the truth, there are also times when silence demonstrates greater faith than an argument ever could.

The next time someone criticizes you unfairly, stop before reacting. Ask the Lord, “Do You want me to answer this, or do You want me to trust You with it?” You might be surprised how much peace comes when you let God handle what only He can truly fix. If someone at work questions your motives or takes credit for something you accomplished, continue serving with integrity instead of trying to win every conversation. God has a way of bringing truth to light at just the right time.

2. God Can Turn Pain Into Blessing

David said something remarkable. “Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction, and the Lord will repay me with good.” David wasn’t pretending the situation didn’t hurt. He simply believed God was bigger than the hurt.

That same promise encourages us today. God has an amazing ability to take what the enemy intended for harm and use it to strengthen our faith, deepen our character, and position us for something greater.

Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” begin asking, “Lord, what do You want to accomplish through this?” If you’re walking through a family conflict, disappointment, or unexpected setback, trust that God is still writing the story. He hasn’t misplaced the final chapter.

3.Humility Leaves Room for God to Work

David could have demanded respect because he was the king. Instead, he humbled himself before God. Humility doesn’t mean allowing people to abuse you. It means recognizing that God’s opinion matters far more than public opinion. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is quietly continue following God while everyone else is busy throwing stones.

Keep doing what God has called you to do, even if others don’t understand it. Maybe you’re serving faithfully in ministry and someone questions your decisions. Maybe you’re trying to raise your family according to God’s Word while others think you’re old fashioned. Stay the course. God’s approval is worth far more than temporary applause.

I’ve discover that some of the greatest battles I’ve faced weren’t with difficult circumstances, they were with my own desire to defend myself. I want people to understand my heart and know my motives. But God has gently reminded me that my job isn’t to manage everyone’s opinion of me. My responsibility is to stay faithful to what He’s called me to do. I’ve found that when I stop trying to fight every battle myself, I have a lot more energy to accomplish the work He actually gave me to do. Besides, carrying stones around all day is exhausting. I’d rather leave them on the ground and keep walking with Jesus.

Here are a few practical ways to get started:

• Pause before responding to criticism, and ask God if He wants you to answer or simply trust Him.
• Pray for people who have hurt or misunderstood you. It changes your heart as much as it changes the situation.
• Continue doing what God has called you to do, even when others don’t applaud it.
• Remember God’s faithfulness in past seasons when He defended and provided for you.
• Thank Him in advance for bringing good out of difficult situations.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God with every stone that has been thrown your way. He sees every misunderstanding, every unfair accusation, and every painful word that has been spoken against you. You don’t have to carry the burden of defending yourself all the time. Keep your eyes on the Lord, walk in humility, and remain faithful to the path He has set before you. In His perfect timing, He is able to bring good out of every hardship and honor those who continue trusting Him. Let Him be your Defender while you keep serving Him with joy.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Samuel 16

1 When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 

2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?”

So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.”

3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?”

And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ”

4 So the king said to Ziba, “Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.”

And Ziba said, “I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!”

Shimei Curses David

5 Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. 

6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 

7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! 

8 The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”

10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”

11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. 

12 It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” 

13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. 

14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.

15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 

16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”

18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 

19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.”

21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” 

22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

Journal:

• Am I spending more energy defending myself than trusting God?
• Is there someone I need to forgive for words they have spoken against me?
• What difficult situation could God be using to strengthen my character?
• Where is God asking me to walk in humility instead of reacting?
• What is one practical step I can take today to trust God more fully with my reputation?

Here is a hint

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. ~ Mark 13:31

Have you ever tried to assemble something without reading the instructions? You confidently tell yourself, “I’ve got this.” Twenty minutes later you’re holding three leftover screws, a mysterious bracket, and wondering why the bookshelf is leaning like the Tower of Pisa. We’ve all been there. Life can be that way too. We often search for answers everywhere except the One place that has never been wrong.

In today’s scripture reading, Jesus was teaching His disciples about the signs of the end times. He described wars, deception, persecution, and worldwide upheaval. While most people focus on the dramatic events in the chapter, there is one statement Jesus made that I believe is the key to understanding the whole passage. He said:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” In other words, no matter what happens in the world, there is one thing that will never change and that is God’s Word.Governments will change.Cultures will change.Technology will change and opinions will change.Even heaven and earth, as we know them today, will one day pass away.But God’s Word will remain forever.

What an amazing gift we have been given. For most of history, people did not have personal copies of the Scriptures. Many believers heard God’s Word only when it was read publicly. Today, we have Bibles in our homes, on our phones, on our computers, and in countless translations. We can read God’s Word at any hour of the day or night.

We are without a doubt, the most Bible accessible generation in history. The question is, are we the most Bible grounded?

It’s easy to become consumed with breaking news, political debates, social media updates, and the latest crisis. We can spend hours learning what everyone else thinks while spending only a few minutes listening to what God has already said.

But, Jesus gives us a better way. If we want stability in an unstable world, we must build our lives on the one thing that never changes. His Word.

The Bible isn’t simply a book full of information. It’s God’s revelation of His character. It’s where we discover His promises. It’s where we learn His wisdom. It’s where we hear His voice. The more His Word fills our hearts, the more our thoughts, decisions, and responses begin to resemble His.

Here are a few practical ways to make God’s Word a greater priority in our every day life.

• Begin each day with Scripture before everything else. Even if you only have fifteen minutes, let God’s voice be the first voice you hear. Starting your day with His truth sets the direction for everything that follows.
• Carry one verse with you throughout the day. Write it on a note card, place it on your phone, or memorize it. Think about it while you’re driving, working, or waiting in line. Let God’s truth become part of your everyday conversations with Him.
• Measure every other voice against God’s Word. News reports, podcasts, social media, and even well meaning advice should always be filtered through Scripture. God’s Word is the standard, not public opinion.
• Put into practice what you read. Knowledge alone doesn’t transform us. Obedience does. Ask yourself each day, “Lord, what do You want me to do with what I’ve read today?” Then take that next step.

One of the greatest discoveries I’ve made is that spending time in God’s Word doesn’t just give me information, it changes the way I see everything else. Problems that once seemed overwhelming become opportunities to trust Him. Decisions become clearer. Fear loses its grip because His promises become more real than my circumstances.

I’ve also seen that God’s Word has a way of speaking exactly what I need, exactly when I need it. There have been mornings when I opened my Bible thinking I was simply following my reading plan, only to realize God had already prepared the exact encouragement or direction I needed for that day. It’s almost as if He knew what was coming. Imagine that!

Today I want to encourage you to make God’s Word the strongest voice in your life. Don’t allow headlines, opinions, or the constant noise of the world to shape your thinking more than Scripture. Open your Bible every day, treasure it as the priceless gift it is, and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you through its pages. The world around you may continue to change, but God’s Word never will. Build your life upon it, hide it in your heart, and trust it completely. When everything else feels uncertain, you’ll discover that His promises remain as faithful, powerful, and unchanging as the loving God who spoke them.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 13:14-31

14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 

15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 

16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 

17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 

18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 

19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 

20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 

22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 

23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 

25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 

26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 

27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

28“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 

29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 

30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 

31Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour

32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 

33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 

34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 

35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 

36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

 Journal:

• What voice has been influencing my thinking the most lately, God’s Word or the world’s opinions?
• Do I have a consistent daily habit of reading and meditating on Scripture?
• What promise from God’s Word do I need to hold onto in this season of my life?
• How can I make God’s Word a greater priority in my daily routine?
• What is one verse I can memorize this week and begin applying to my life?

The End is not yet

But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ~ Mark 13:7

Have you ever turned on the news and wondered if the world had completely gone mad? Every headline seems more alarming than the last. Wars, disasters, political unrest, economic uncertainty, and moral confusion can make us wonder, “Lord, is this the end?”

The disciples had similar questions. As they admired the beauty of the temple, Jesus began describing events that would take place before His return. He spoke of wars, rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, earthquakes, famines, and troubles. Reading that list today feels pretty much like reading the evening news.

But in the middle of it all, Jesus gave His followers an important instruction. He said: “Do not be troubled.” Then He added something we sometimes overlook. “The end is not yet.”

In other words, don’t panic every time you see another headline. These events are signs that remind us that God is still in working His plans, but there is no reason to live in fear.

Then Jesus gave another sign that often receives less attention than the others. He said in verse 10 of todays reading: “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” That statement has always captured my attention.

Recently, I attended an event where missionaries shared the enormous task of translating the Bible into languages that still have no access to God’s Word. I found myself wondering, “With airplanes, satellites, the internet, and AI, how can there still be people who have never heard the message of Jesus?” And yet there still are.

Some live in remote villages. Others live in places where the Gospel has little or no access. Jesus made it clear that before His return, the Good News would be preached to every nation.

That tells me something important. While the world is focused on the signs, God is focused on the people and the reason for the mission. As believers, we aren’t called to spend our days trying to predict the date of the Lord Jesus’ return. We’re called to faithfully carry His message until He comes.

Here are three practical ways we can live with that purpose.

• Choose faith instead of fear. The next time a troubling headline appears, don’t allow anxiety to take over your heart. Turn it into a reminder to pray. Jesus told us these things would happen, and He also promised never to leave us. His peace is greater than the world’s uncertainty.
• Find your place in the Great Commission. Not everyone is called to move across the world, but everyone is called to participate. You can pray for missionaries, support ministries financially, encourage those serving overseas, share your testimony, or simply tell someone in your own neighborhood about Jesus. Every believer has a role to do.
• Live with eternity in mind. Ask the Holy Spirit each morning, “Who can I encourage today? Who needs to hear about Your love?” Sometimes the greatest mission field is the person standing beside you at work, the cashier at the grocery store, or your next-door neighbor.

One of the things I’ve seen in my life is that it’s easy to become fascinated with prophecy while forgetting the purpose behind it. God didn’t give us signs so we’d become fearful. He gave them so we’d remain watchful, hopeful, and motivated to reach people while there’s still time.

I’ve also realized that every generation seems convinced they’re the one that’s figured out the exact date of Jesus’ return. If I had a dollar for every prediction that’s come and gone in my lifetime, I could probably fund a world wide ministry! Jesus didn’t tell us to calculate the calendar. He told us to occupy until He comes. I think that’s a much better use of our time.

Every sunrise, every conversation and every person we meet is another opportunity to tell someone that God loves them deeply. Instead of asking, “How close are we to the end?” A better question is: “Who can I help get ready?”

Today I want to encourage you to lift your eyes above the headlines and fix them on the mission Jesus gave you. Don’t allow fear, uncertainty, or the constant stream of bad news to steal your peace. God is still on the throne, His plan is still at work, and His Gospel is still changing lives. Ask Him to show you your part in reaching the world, whether that’s through praying, giving, serving, or sharing His love with someone He places in your path. Live each day with expectation, but also with purpose. The end is not yet, which means there is still work to do, people to reach, and lives to change. Let’s be faithful with the time God has entrusted to us until the day we see our Savior face to face.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 13:1-13

1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”

2 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 

4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 

6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 

7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 

10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 

11But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 

12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 

13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

 Journal:

• When I hear difficult news, do I respond with fear or with faith?
• How can I become more involved in helping spread the Gospel around the world?
• Who has God placed in my life that needs to hear about His love?
• Am I spending more time worrying about the future than fulfilling God’s purpose for today?
• What is one step I can take this week to participate more fully in the Great Commission?

Who has your heart

In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. ~ 2 Samuel 15:6

Have you ever been talked into believing something that wasn’t true? Maybe someone shared just enough information to make their side sound convincing, only for you to discover later that you had only heard half the story. It’s amazing how easily our hearts can be influenced when we don’t stop to seek the truth. That’s exactly what happened in today’s reading.

Absalom was handsome, charming, and incredibly persuasive. Instead of waiting on God’s timing, he built his own following by telling people what they wanted to hear. Little by little, he stole the hearts of the people until they turned against King David. The story is a powerful reminder that not every voice speaking with confidence is speaking with wisdom. As God’s people, we must be careful who we allow to influence our hearts.

Below are three points from this chapter that can help us stay grounded in God’s truth.

1. Guard Your Heart from the Wrong Voices

Absalom won people over because he appealed to their emotions. He made promises, created division, and convinced people that he alone had the answers.

The enemy still works the same way today. He loves to use offense, comparison, and half-truths to pull our hearts away from God’s wisdom.

Be careful who you listen to and what you allow to shape your thinking. If someone is constantly criticizing others, stirring up division, or encouraging you to become offended, don’t allow those conversations to take root in your heart. Instead, compare everything you hear with God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Not everyone with a microphone deserves your attention. Sometimes the wisest thing you can do is hit the mute button.

2. Bring Your Burdens to God First

When David learned what was happening, he didn’t pretend everything was fine. He brought the situation before God and continued to seek His direction. There will be times when life surprises us. People may disappoint us, plans may change, and circumstances may seem unfair. The first place we should run is to the Lord.

When unexpected challenges come, make prayer your first response instead of your last resort. If you receive discouraging news at work, don’t spend the entire day imagining the worst. Pause and pray. If a relationship becomes strained, ask the Lord for wisdom before reacting emotionally. He always knows what you can’t yet see. I’ve noticed that my own solutions usually have a much shorter shelf life than God’s.

3. Stay Faithful Even When the Road Changes

David left Jerusalem with no guarantee of what would happen next. Yet he continued trusting the Lord one step at a time. Following God doesn’t mean every season will be easy, but it does mean He will faithfully lead us through every season.

Keep taking the next step God places before you. Maybe your plans have changed unexpectedly, a door has closed, or you’re facing uncertainty about the future. Don’t stop moving forward just because the road looks different than you imagined. Stay faithful in today’s assignment and trust God with tomorrow. God has never been surprised by a detour.

One of the things I’ve seen in my own life is that the Holy Spirit has a gentle way of checking my heart whenever I start listening to the wrong voices. Sometimes those voices come from other people. Sometimes they come from my own fears and insecurities. Now I realize that when I quiet the noise and spend time with the Lord, His voice brings peace, clarity, and direction. His wisdom has never led me into confusion, and I’m so thankful He always knows the way forward.

Today I want to encourage you to guard your heart carefully and make God’s voice the loudest one in your life. Don’t allow opinions, emotions, or circumstances to pull you away from His truth. Stay close to Him, seek His wisdom in every decision, and trust Him even when the path looks different than you expected. The Lord is faithful to lead those who are willing to follow Him, and His direction will always bring you exactly where you need to be.

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 15

1 After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 

2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 

3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.” 

4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 

5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. 

6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Now it came to pass after forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the Lord. 

8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ”

9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.

10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ” 

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything. 

12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.

David Escapes from Jerusalem

13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

15And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.” 

16 Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. 17And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts. 

18 Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.

19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. 

20 In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you.”

21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be.”

22 So David said to Ittai, “Go, and cross over.” Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over. 

23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

24 There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city. 

25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. 

26 But if He says thus: ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.” 

27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 

28 See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 

29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

30 So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up. 

31 Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

32 Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God—there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head. 

33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. 

34 But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 

35 And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 

36 Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear.”

37 So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Journal:

• What voices have been influencing my thoughts the most recently?
• Is there an area where I need to seek God’s wisdom instead of relying on my emotions?
• Have I allowed offense or disappointment to shape my perspective?
• What burden do I need to bring to the Lord instead of carrying it by myself?
• What is the next faithful step God is asking me to take today?

Move with grace

 For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him. ~ 2 Samuel 14:14

 Have you ever had a relationship that felt stuck? Maybe there was a misunderstanding that never got resolved, a hurt that lingered too long, or a conversation that everyone kept putting off. It’s amazing how silence can build a wall one brick at a time. Before long, what could have been solved with one honest conversation begins to feel impossible.

Second Samuel 14 reminds us that while broken relationships can become complicated, God’s heart is always toward restoration. This chapter is filled with imperfect people making imperfect decisions, but one beautiful truth shines through. God is always looking for ways to bring people back to Himself. If that is His heart toward us, it should become our heart toward others.

Here are three truths that can help us live with God’s heart for restoration.

1. God’s Heart Is Always for Restoration

The woman from Tekoa reminded David of something profound. God “devises means” so those who have been separated can be brought back. Throughout Scripture, we see God continually pursuing people who have wandered away.

Ask the Lord to give you His heart for people instead of holding on to disappointment. Perhaps a family member has hurt you, a friend has drifted away, or someone has disappointed you deeply. While healthy boundaries are sometimes necessary, don’t stop praying for restoration. God specializes in rebuilding what seems beyond repair. Never underestimate what God can do in a heart that is willing to return to Him.

2. Delayed Obedience Often Delays Healing

David allowed years to pass before fully dealing with the situation between himself and Absalom. During that time, the wounds only grew deeper. The longer we avoid difficult conversations, the more complicated they become.

Don’t ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit when He encourages you to deal with something. If you know you need to apologize, forgive, or have an honest conversation, don’t keep putting it off. Pray first, ask God for wisdom, and move forward with humility and grace. Procrastination is never a good relationship strategy.

3. Outward Success Doesn’t Always Mean Inward Health

Absalom was described as exceptionally handsome, yet underneath the outward appearance, unresolved issues were growing in his heart. God has always been more interested in our hearts than our image.

Spend as much time caring for your heart as you do your appearance. It’s easy to focus on our schedule, our career, or even how we present ourselves to others. But don’t neglect your spiritual life. Spend time with the Lord every day, allowing Him to search your heart and gently reveal areas that need His healing. A healthy heart will always produce healthier relationships.

One thing I’ve realized over the years is that unresolved issues rarely improve by themselves. I’ve had times when I hoped a difficult situation would simply disappear if I gave it enough time. It almost never worked that way. What made the difference was inviting the Lord into the situation and asking Him for wisdom about my next step. Sometimes He led me to have a conversation. Other times, He taught me to pray and trust Him to work in ways I couldn’t. Either way, I’ve discovered that His way always brings more peace than avoiding the issue.

Today I want to encourage you to let God’s heart for restoration become your heart as well. Don’t allow fear, pride, or disappointment to keep you from following the Holy Spirit’s leading. Ask Him to show you where healing needs to begin, whether in your own heart or in one of your relationships. Remember that the same God who continually pursues us is able to work in the hearts of those we love. Trust His timing, follow His wisdom, and keep your heart tender before Him. He is still the God who devises ways to bring people home.

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 14

1So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom. 

2 And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman, and said to her, “Please pretend to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel; do not anoint yourself with oil, but act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead. 

3 Go to the king and speak to him in this manner.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.

4 And when the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and prostrated herself, and said, “Help, O king!”

5 Then the king said to her, “What troubles you?” And she answered, “Indeed I am a widow, my husband is dead. 

6 Now your maidservant had two sons; and the two fought with each other in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him. 

7 And now the whole family has risen up against your maidservant, and they said, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may execute him for the life of his brother whom he killed; and we will destroy the heir also.’ So they would extinguish my ember that is left, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the earth.”

8 Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.”

9 And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and on my father’s house, and the king and his throne be guiltless.”

10 So the king said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you anymore.”

11 Then she said, “Please let the king remember the Lord your God, and do not permit the avenger of blood to destroy anymore, lest they destroy my son.”

And he said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”

12 Therefore the woman said, “Please, let your maidservant speak another word to my lord the king.”

And he said, “Say on.”

13 So the woman said: “Why then have you schemed such a thing against the people of God? For the king speaks this thing as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring his banished one home again. 

14 For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him. 

15 Now therefore, I have come to speak of this thing to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. And your maidservant said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his maidservant. 

16 For the king will hear and deliver his maidservant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the inheritance of God.’ 

17 Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the Lord your God be with you.’ ”

18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, “Please do not hide from me anything that I ask you.” And the woman said, “Please, let my lord the king speak.”

19 So the king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” And the woman answered and said, “As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your maidservant. 

20 To bring about this change of affairs your servant Joab has done this thing; but my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”

21 And the king said to Joab, “All right, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom.”

22 Then Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself, and thanked the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.” 

23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 

24 And the king said, “Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king’s face.

25 Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 

26 And when he cut the hair of his head—at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him—when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard. 

27 To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.

28 And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face. 

29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come. 

30So he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

31Then Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”

32And Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” ’ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.”

33So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.

Journal:

• Is there a relationship I’ve been avoiding because it feels too difficult?
• Has the Holy Spirit been prompting me to forgive, apologize, or reach out to someone?
• Are there unresolved hurts that I need to surrender to the Lord?
• How has God pursued me during seasons when I wandered from Him?
• What is one step of obedience I can take today toward peace and restoration?

Guard your heart

Then Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. ~ 1 Samuel 13:22

Have you ever noticed how one wrong decision can set off a chain reaction? It’s a little like knocking over the first domino. You think it’s just one small piece, but before long, everything behind it begins to fall. Sin has a way of doing that. It rarely stays contained. Left unchecked, it spreads into relationships, families, and even generations.

Today’s scripture reading is one of the most heartbreaking chapters in Scripture. It is filled with lust, deception, abuse, anger, revenge, and silence. No one seems to make the right decision, and the consequences touch everyone involved. While the chapter is very hard to read, it reminds us how desperately we need God’s wisdom to guard our hearts before small compromises become devastating outcomes.

Here are three important lessons from this chapter that can help us walk in God’s wisdom today.

1. Don’t Feed Wrong Desires

Amnon allowed an unhealthy desire to grow until it controlled his thinking and his actions. Instead of bringing his thoughts under God’s authority, he entertained them until they became destructive.

Pay attention to what you allow to grow in your heart. If you continually feed jealousy by comparing yourself to others on social media, it will eventually rob you of contentment. If you rehearse bitterness over how someone treated you, it becomes harder to forgive. The sooner you surrender unhealthy thoughts to God, the easier they are to overcome. You can’t stop every bird from flying overhead, but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair. The point is that God gave us authority over our thought life.

2. Be Careful Who You Listen To

One of the saddest parts of this chapter is that Amnon listened to Jonadab, who gave him terrible advice. One wrong voice influenced an entire tragedy. The voices we allow into our lives matter.

Surround yourself with people who point you toward God instead of away from Him. When you’re making an important decision, seek counsel from someone who loves Jesus and values His Word. Don’t simply look for someone who agrees with what you already want to do. Look for someone who will tell you the truth. Godly friends don’t just tell you what you want to hear. They help you hear what God is saying.

3. Don’t Let Hurt Turn Into Bitterness

Absalom carried his anger for two years before acting on it. During that time, the offense didn’t heal. It grew stronger until revenge seemed like the answer. Unforgiveness never stays small.

Bring your hurts to God before they take root. If someone has deeply disappointed you, talk to the Lord about it before you replay the offense over and over in your mind. Forgiveness doesn’t excuse what happened, but it frees your heart from carrying a burden God never intended you to bear. Healing begins when we trust God with justice instead of trying to carry it ourselves.

One of the things I’ve realized over the years is that guarding my heart is much easier than repairing it after I’ve ignored God’s warnings. There have been times when the Holy Spirit gently checked my attitude or nudged me to deal with an offense quickly. Looking back, I’m so thankful for those moments because they kept small issues from becoming much bigger ones. God’s correction has never been meant to condemn me. It has always been His loving way of protecting me from unnecessary pain.

Today I want to encourage you to guard your heart with God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Don’t ignore those gentle promptings when He warns you about your thoughts, your attitudes, or the voices you’re listening to. He isn’t trying to take away your joy. He is protecting your future. The more quickly you respond to His direction, the more peace you’ll experience along the way. God is always faithful to lead His children into life, freedom, and restoration when they choose to follow Him.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Samuel 13

1 After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 

2 Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her. 

3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Now Jonadab was a very crafty man. 

4 And he said to him, “Why are you, the king’s son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”

5 So Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’ ” 

6 Then Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let Tamar my sister come and make a couple of cakes for me in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”

7 And David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Now go to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.” 

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was lying down. Then she took flour and kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 

9 And she took the pan and placed them out before him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said, “Have everyone go out from me.” And they all went out from him. 

10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them to Amnon her brother in the bedroom. 

11 Now when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.”

12 But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! 

13 And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.” 

14 However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”

16 So she said to him, “No, indeed! This evil of sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me.” But he would not listen to her. 

17 Then he called his servant who attended him, and said, “Here! Put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door behind her.” 

18 Now she had on a robe of many colors, for the king’s virgin daughters wore such apparel. And his servant put her out and bolted the door behind her.

19 Then Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly. 

20 And Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 

22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons. 

24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Kindly note, your servant has sheepshearers; please, let the king and his servants go with your servant.”

25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be a burden to you.” Then he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him.

26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.”

And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 

27 But Absalom urged him; so he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.” 

29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and not one of them is left!” 

31 So the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 

32 Then Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered and said, “Let not my lord suppose they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, for only Amnon is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 

33 Now therefore, let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead. For only Amnon is dead.”

Absalom Flees to Geshur

34 Then Absalom fled. And the young man who was keeping watch lifted his eyes and looked, and there, many people were coming from the road on the hillside behind him. 

35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.” 

36 So it was, as soon as he had finished speaking, that the king’s sons indeed came, and they lifted up their voice and wept. Also the king and all his servants wept very bitterly.

37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 

38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur and was there three years. 39And King David longed to go to Absalom. For he had been comforted concerning Amnon, because he was dead.

Journal:

• Is there an attitude or thought that I’ve allowed to grow instead of bringing it to God?
• Who are the strongest voices influencing my decisions right now?
• Is there someone I need to forgive so bitterness doesn’t take root?
• When has the Holy Spirit gently warned me before a small issue became a much bigger problem?
• What is one practical step I can take today to guard my heart more intentionally?