God will make a way by Pastor Dave

“Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.”
2 Samuel 14: 14
 
2 Samuel 13-15 (Psalm 90)
 
Observe

• Amnon, David’s son, falls for Tamar the sister of Absalom, another of David’s sons. He becomes ill with his infatuation. With poor advice from a friend, he secures time alone with Tamar, and rapes her, despite a solution proffered by Tamar herself. His ‘love’ turns to hatred and he throws her out. Absalom takes in his distraught sister and devises a plot for revenge that ends in Amnon’s murder and Absalom’s escape and exile
• David’s heart ached for Absalom. Joab secured the services of a wise woman to speak to the king. She detailed a parallel story, provided by Joab, designed to cause the king to act. David allowed Absalom back but the son remained separated from the king. After two years, and in frustration, Absalom forced Joab to act. Absalom was reunited with his father 
• Over a period of more than four years Absalom conspires against David to win the hearts and minds of the people of Israel. This results in David fleeing Jerusalem. He however sends the ark of God back to the city seeking God’s will. He also secures spies in Jerusalem to keep him informed

 
Interpret
     Connecting with previous chapters we see the consequences of sin developing in David’s life. He has been forgiven but the fulfilment of Nathan’s prophecies of denunciation begin (2 Sam. 12: 11-12).
     Amnon clearly does not ‘love’ Tamar as he refuses to listen to the solution of marriage. Absalom’s words to Tamar suggest that this is not the first time Amnon has acted in this way (2 Sam. 13: 20). His further response highlights his intention of revenge. Sin begets sin, begets sin. Murder follows through a very non-subtle plan. It appears Absalom wants David to know what he has done; anger at David’s inaction? He subsequently flees.
     David’s heart aches for his son but he can’t just allow him home. The wise woman details Joab’s parallel story, which works on David. Connecting back to our thoughts on the book of Ruth, we remember that one of the roles of a kinsman redeemer was to redeem the blood of a murdered relative; another was to make restitution for the sin of a kinsman. In a sense David is encouraged to fill both roles; Absalom is allowed home but is not fully welcomed, he remains separated from his father. Sin grew in Absalom’s heart and a conspiracy for the throne began.
     His considered plot and length of time devoted to his conspiracy identifies a man with a heart for himself and capable of great deception. In contrast David’s desire for God’s outcome, whatever that may have been, suggests a contrite and broken heart; one that has been humbled by his own sin and God’s forgiveness (2 Sam. 15: 25-26). It was during this period of his life that David wrote some of his most beautiful Psalms (3, 4, 62 & 63).
 
Application
     We see, again and again, how sin gives rise to more sin and that even when forgiven, there are consequences for our actions. Today’s Psalm (90) talks of our iniquities and secret sins; they are before God and bring about His wrath. We are banished from His presence. But as we see in 2 Sam. 14: 14, God devises ways to bring us back into His heart. We can be reconciled in and through Jesus Christ, our ultimate and only kinsman redeemer. God will always make a way; our part is to submit a contrite and broken heart to Him in genuine repentance, faith and belief.
 
The Question of Application
     Are there unconfessed sins in your life; what impact are they having on you and others? Ask God for forgiveness, offer forgiveness to others, and witness the path of reconciliation that God will reveal.
   
Prayer
     Dear Lord, we confess our sins and secrets sins. We ask your forgiveness. Help us to use our time aright with your wisdom in our hearts. Show us your unfailing love each morning that we may sing for joy. May your favour rest upon us and establish the work of our hands for your glory. Amen
From Psalm 90
 
Praise 
Salvation belongs to our God sung by Jeremy Fisher
Psalm 90 sung by The Choir of Westminster Abbey