Recovery Devotional 326 Charity in the Wilderness

JMD Devotional 326 2 Samuel 17:27-29 Charity in the Wilderness

[King David and a small contingent fled for their lives pursued by his murderous son Absalom.]

When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash of Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched [pulse--seeds of peas and beans], honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of cows for David and the people with him to eat; for they said, The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.

Years before, when David was in sin and rebellion, God sent Nathan the Prophet to challenge him about his sin and lead him to repentance. God forgave David, but the consequences of his actions remained to haunt his life. One such consequence was that ‘the sword shall never depart from his house.’ Now, about six years later, note that Nathan, the man of God, did not return to say, “I told you so!” like some kind of rabid zealot. There was a godless man (Shimei) who followed and tormented David by throwing stones and dust at him from a ridge line. We Christians are often tempted to state the obvious and point out how a person’s sins have brought on their dire consequences; but people already know this in their heart, God has a better role for us to play. A person who is harassed, weary and fatigued in the wilderness is suffering enough already. God sent David what he needed, which was charity, grace and provision. Let life preach its bitter lessons; but may God’s people show mercy, compassion, and outrageous grace to those in need.

Dear God,

Please impart wisdom to Your people. The little ‘knowledge’ we have inclines us to show it off by throwing stones as self-appointed agents of justice; but there is a deeper wisdom in dispensing grace. Teach us how to be more like Jesus; give us an appropriate message. I tend to extremes, to either dispense empty pabulum or sharp condemnation: help me to arrive at a healthy balance, a winsome message, a compelling witness. May my words be like a healing balm to a wounded soul.

Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by

the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

*New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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