MOAN FOR ABSALOM, CRY FOR ABSALOM

2 Samuel 19 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)


2 Samuel 19

1 Joab was told, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, "The king is grieving for his son." 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!"

5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, "Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come upon you from your youth till now."

8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, "The king is sitting in the gateway," they all came before him.


Absalom? Lord what does this have to do with me? Why are you speaking this to my mind and heart? Lord what have you delivered me from that I am mourning? What am I grieving over that I should be rejoicing over? Lord I do not want to grieve the death of my flesh but rather I want to rejoice in the resurrected life you have given me.
When Moses led the people out of Egypt...there were some who wanted to return to slavery...
David mourned a son who wanted to kill him... his men won the victory against his enemy but there was no rejoicing because David their king moaned the loss of his son.(a son who wanted David dead)..
I believe the Lord is speaking to me through David and Absalom...I hear Him say stop mourning the death of self and rejoice in the new life-the resurrected life I have given you...you are making those who have battled for you, those who stood in the gap...lose heart...at a time when they should be rejoicing at your deliverance that they have labored with you...they are saddened by your grief...you're holding on to the old life instead of embracing the new...
Have you or anyone you know ever held on to something that was harmful to them/you...something the Lord has set you free from...addictions, wrong relationships, false doctrine, wrong emotions and thoughts etc.? Have you ever gone to battle with/for someone and see them delivered and they miss the old life? Have you (or someone you know) ever grieved the loss of the very thing/person who was set on destroying you (or them)?
I confess that I don't understand this as well as I should...but I will begin with asking for the Lord's forgiveness and repent of grieving over the death of self...and say thank you all who have prayed for and with me....I will praise God for the victory....

Remember Those Who Are In Bonds

For the last few months we have been meeting once a week to pray for the persecuted church. We pray for those who are in prison and all those who are in nations that are hostile to the Word of God. As we pray for those who are in prison we also pray for their families. Families sometimes find themselves without food or shelter because their spouse or parent are in prison. The other spouse may not have a job or the may not be able to find employment because of the hostility shown to Christians. Their family and communities may turn on them...sometimes families members may beat or even murder them. Children growing up in this atmosphere are especially vulnerable.

This month our main prayer focus is Laos and prisoners in Laos.

The Voice of the Martyrs has a great site -on their PRISONER ALERT -you can compose a letter to a prisoner in their own language, you can look at the Prisoner and the Country Profile.

It's New to me...

Earlier this summer I suggested that our church have a monthly women of the bible discussion...My plan was for it to be a discussion and that my part would be to organize, decorate and set up/clean up...that's where I see myself...where I am comfortable and where I know that I am more than competent in those task...since it is a discussion I also felt secure that I would be "participating"...it turns out that I will be leading this discussion...I feel unqualified due to lack of experience in this area...but also (after many tears and discussions w/ leadership) a bit excited about venturing out into something new...I don't want to turn down this opportunity out of fear and insecurity...I so enjoyed the online study that Rachel Olsen provided and I am hoping to bring this to our church and community...All this to say I am seeking your prayers...the first breakfast is scheduled for OCTOBER 11th...I am also working on a newsletter for our church and this too is new to me...