FRIDAY 6 May, 2016
For Better or Worse
And Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.”’ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.” - 2 Samuel 14:32
Enough is enough! Absalom was thoroughly tired of this long separation from his father. In frustration he voiced his thoughts, it would have been better for him to stay in Geshur. What was the point in coming home to live in this indeterminate state? The torture of two years hanging in the balance had taken its toll on Absalom. He wanted his father to make a decision one way or the other. Would be better if he was allowed to see his father or at worse be found guilty and face his own death?
Absalom and his father’s relationship had become very difficult. It would be hard for David to let go of the pain his son had caused in the past and move forward. Without God working in their individual lives any common ground of understanding between them would become superficial and their hopes for any lasting restoration of their relationship would be impossible.
Many marriage relationships can become difficult, especially when the communication between them has been severed. A husband and wife can be in the same home but live completely separate lives. They hardly look each other in the face. Many couples have spoken traditional wedding vows to each other when they got married and they promised, “For better or worse, for richer or poorer… till death us do apart.” Yet why do so many Christian marriages end in divorce?
Friends and family cannot force them to reconsider their choices but only pray for them. If couples would allow God to work out their difference and keep Christ in the center of their relationship, God would form an unbreakable bond.
“…Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
~Mark 10:9~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!