Day 129, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Psalms 3, 4, 11, 23, 26, 12, 36, 2Samuel 16:1-14
Not Forgotten
If a person has lived in America for a short while, he has seen a black flag flown with an emblem of a bowed head silhouetted on a white background. It stands for those who are missing in action (MIA). Most were missing while serving in active duty during military maneuvers. Their fate is still unknown. Loved ones and friends fly the flags so we may never forget them.
“Leave no man behind” is the motto of America’s armed forces. Searches continue for those left behind, even if they are presumed dead. We want the families of those servicemen and our nation to know we have not forgotten them.
Enduring isolation and persecution are never easy for missing service personnel, and some of us also experience this in our lives. Perhaps our contact with others is restricted, and our enemy (even a relative) mocks or causes us to live in fear. Loneliness and intimidation bring us high stress, confusion, hopelessness, and despair. Has God forgotten us?
In yesterday’s Bible reading, when King David is weak, his son Absalom betrays him and stages a coup to unseat him. He wants his father’s crown.
David’s Confidence
David takes his family, most citizens, and his army from Jerusalem to protect the people from civil war. He leaves his concubines (secondary wives) at the palace to help take care of it and keeps the tabernacle in Jerusalem. If God is pleased with him, the LORD will soon bring him back. or so he thought.
David walks away from Jerusalem in shame, and some think he’s a coward. “Flee as a bird to your mountain,” they taunt, but David takes refuge in the LORD (Psalm 11:1, NIV).Along the way, he’s mocked (Psalm 3:2), and he and his troops are pelted with stones by a Benjamite still loyal to the household of Saul (2Samuel 16:5-13).
How does the king handle this mistreatment? Does his head bow in despair? Is he angry? What would we do if someone betrayed and forced us to leave our job, church, home, or another group, and then he spread lies about us?
We don’t know the exact order of the Psalms written about that time, but it appears King David exited Jerusalem with confidence. Despite Absalom’s attempted coup, David believes God will vindicate him. After all, God had promised David would continue his reign.
David proclaims, “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head” (Psalm 3:3, NIV). The king has so much faith in God that he declares, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8, NIV). He also writes, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want [not lacking anything needed]” (Psalm 23:1, NIV).
The good king believes God will lead, guide, protect, and make it possible for him to return to the LORD’s tabernacle to worship him (23:1-6). He says, “My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly, I will praise the LORD” (Psalm 26:12, NIV). In other words, early on in his exile, King David is not stumbling in his faith towards God, and he openly shares his faith with others.
When persecution begins, perhaps we, too, trust God will bring us through it, and there will be better times ahead. Abuse or disrespect and dishonor are not easy to bear, however, especially if they come from the betrayal of a son, such as Absalom, or a daughter.
The King's Petition
Many people express pain and anguish when they experience hard times. David is no different. He wrote many of his Psalms about this dark period in his life. Yet, to whom does he make his complaints and petitions? David prays to God.
Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people (Psalm 3:7,8, NIV).Does God Care or are We Forgotten?
Does God care? Yes, he does. Will he supply our needs? Yes.
Although David, his troops, and many people are with him, God blesses and feeds them. Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, brings food for these exiles (2Samuel 16:1-2). It appears that Ziba supplies their needs out of kindness, but later we learn he was trying to curry favor with David (2Samuel 19:24-30). Even though Ziba's motives were not pure, God uses his generosity to meet the needs of David and his troops..We may suffer hardships in our lives, but God is always with us. He's not forgotten us and will take care of us. Let's pray to him for our deliverance and help.
Focus Verse
Psalm 11:1 (NIV) “In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain?’”
Discussion
When times are tough, how should we respond?
What comfort should we give to someone who thinks God has forgotten him?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: Despite David's hope, God doesn't immediately deliver David and return him to Jerusalem. What does he do while Waiting for Deliverance? What should we do? Find out in our Next Lesson.
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagepage last re-edited 8-18-24
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES