SOW the WIND and REAP the WHIRLWIND
April 3 Bible
Reading: 2 Samuel Chapters 13-15
SOW the WIND and REAP the WHIRLWIND
This is a passage taken from Hosea 8:7, but it
aptly describes what happens in King David’s life and his family as a direct
consequence of his sinful actions. Prophet Nathan had prophesied this dire
warning earlier: "Now therefore, the
sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me..."
(2 Sam 12:10). King David’s family is now embroiled in conflicts that started
coming in like waves on the seashore. David’s eldest son Amnon rapes his own
half-sister Tamar, who was Absalom’s sister. Absalom schemes and murders Amnon
to take revenge for defiling his sister. Absalom then flees to Geshur, but
returns back to Jerusalem after three years and finally is forgiven by his
father. Absalom then deceitfully charms the people of Israel, and through his
charisma plots a coup against David. This treason by his own son forces King
David to escape from Jerusalem after many of his trusted people including his
trusted friend Ahithophel defects with Absalom.
Even though God had forgiven David,
his sins brought him painful consequences. Even today, this is true – God forgives and even
forgets, people may forgive but some never forgets. Our sins will find us out
and they forever remain a blot and stain in the perception of others about us.
According to ‘God Guides Your Tomorrows’ by Roger C. Palms, there are three aspects that we can consider with regards to messing up
our lives:
- We don’t have to yield to temptation.
God has made a way of escape for us. "No temptation
has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1
Cor 10:13)
- If we do slip, we don’t have to
wallow in our mistakes. There is deliverance when we cry unto God for help. Let’s join with Psalmist David as he
considers his deliverance: "I waited
patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also
brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon
a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth-- praise to
our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord"
(Psalms 40:1-3)
- We can use the lesson learned from
falling not only to avoid falling again, but to help some other person who is
facing similar pressures. Let’s follow Apostle Paul’s instruction in this matter: "Brethren,
if anyone is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a
one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal
6:1-2)
Let us never forget what happened to King David when he sinned against God – there are lasting repercussions when we break God’s commandment. When we “sow the wind, we will reap the whirlwind”. Just like Apostle Paul, let us also "...discipline our bodies and bring it into subjection, otherwise after we have preached to others we ourselves will be disqualified" (1 Cor 9:27)
