“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.”
(2 Samuel 19:6 NIV)
When King David was told that his rebellious son, Absalom, was dead, the king mourned greatly over his loss. “The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”’ (2 Samuel 19:4). Despite Absalom’s conspiracy and rebellion against him, David still hoped that his son would return to him alive and well (2 Samuel 18:5). So the king was harshly rebuked by his nephew and commander of his army, Joab, who couldn’t grasp the king’s undying devotion to his disobedient son (2 Samuel 19:6-7).
Yet in David’s unusual love for his defiant son, we see the unconditional love of God for His rebellious children. Despite our rebellion and sin, He loves us and longs for our return. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to reconcile us to Himself. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Have you unwrapped His gift yet?
Praying that you’ll be wrapped in His love today and always.
Rising with the Son 