Wow! Today’s reading is like something out of a spy movie, except that spy movies don’t show a sovereign God at work in mankind’s affairs!
On the surface, the insurrection of Absalom has gained momentum. He has taken over the city of David, Jerusalem, and is now calling the shots from the king’s house (2 Samuel 16:15). David is on the run, having crossed the Jordan into the wilderness beyond (2 Samuel 17:22). He has mobilized his troops. Positions are taken to counter the first attack from the rebellion (2 Samuel 18:1–4). Ahithophel, the traitor, is counseling Absalom with wise advice that has the power to devastate David’s cause (2 Samuel 17:1–4). David’s double agent (2 Samuel 16:16–19), Hushai, has worked his way into the thick of it, countering the wisdom of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:7–14). There is even an elaborate communication network set up to get intelligence back to David on Absalom’s plans and troop movements (2 Samuel 17:15–17).
Below the surface, there is even more intrigue. We see the effects of David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband fully underway. The prophet Nathan foretold that David’s family would live by the sword, his household would rebel against him, and his wives would be publicly humiliated for what David did in private. Yes, sin is devastating! At the same time, God works in both seen and unseen ways to bring about His eternal plan. God answered David’s prayer from 2 Samuel 15:31 and countered Ahithophel’s counsel in 2 Samuel 17:14. God has many people still loyal to David who come out of obscurity to sustain David and his men in the wilderness (2 Samuel 17:27–29). God is even at work in one sticky situation where the communication network was exposed. He preserves the lives of David’s informants (2 Samuel 17:17–22). In the end, the rebels met their end, and the rebellion was crushed.
In all of this, we are comfortingly reminded that God is sovereign over all things. First, God has created all things, and He alone holds things together!
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16–17, ESV)
Second, He is working all things together for our good—despite the mess of sin that ravages the world!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Third, no man or plan can back God into the corner!
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2, ESV)
What does this mean for us? We, too, will find, as David did, that God is always in control. As His children, this brings a deep, abiding, anchoring peace amid life’s chaos. Let’s rejoice in our great God and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, …who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, (1 Timothy 6:15, NKJV)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Samuel 16-18.