God’s Still in Control

2nd Samuel 17

Have you ever had one of those moments when you think nothing could possibly make your day worse than it already is? Then guess what, you receive news or something happens that makes your day go bad to worse. Yeah those days do happen, but we need to realize that God is the one who is in control of all things even when things do not seem that good, God has a plan.

In this chapter we read that God is looking out for David.

The bad friend

Ahithopel was one of David’s counselors. He would advise the king in certain matters. This man deserted David when the pressure of Absalom came. In 2nd Samuel 15:31 we read that Ahithopel is on the side of Absalom. In this chapter we read that Ahithopel is giving Absalom advice about destroying David and making all out war with him and his followers. Not only did he want to destroy David he wanted him humiliated. In chapter 16 we see that Ahithopel told Absalom to do something that would be very disgraceful to the king. He told him to do it so everyone would know that Absalom was there to stay. God has other plans though. It is sad to see someone that was so close to the king all of sudden work for the enemy. 

God’s Plan

There was a man that was still loyal to David yet stayed in the palace. His name was Hushai, who was like a spy for king David. He also gave counsel to Absalom and instead he mentioned how David would be ready for him because he is skilled in war. What Hushai was doing was making it so David could have more time to retreat. 

He then made sure the word God to David that Absalom was coming with troops and to be ready. The result of Absalom taking the counsel from Hushai then Ahithopel so Ahithopel committed suicide. 

The wilderness again

It is interesting that David is back in the wilderness. This was the place he first started as he ran from Saul and not wanting to touch the Lord’s anointed and now he is running for his life from his son. In the wilderness we saw him being hastled by the remaining family members of Saul, have to worry about food and shelter. We see God providing. Someone brought food and the things David needed. God was in control and God was allowing certain things to take place but David would soon be in the palace again. Jesus himself went through the wilderness where he was tempted, just like David went through the wilderness and faced opposition. 

What kind of wilderness are you facing? Do you have trials and frustrations? David’s 2nd wilderness experience was because of his sin but God still was with him. We may have gotten ourselves in a pit or in a situation which we regret, but God is faithful to us. May you find peace in your loneliness because you are not alone. God is with you and we have confidence that even Jesus faced the hardships and more in this life. He knows what pain and suffering is. He knows what it means to be ditched, he knows what it feels like to not be liked. Jesus went through all of that for us. May we cling to him in our time and know their is a light which is him.