May 23

2 Samuel 18–20 records the devastating aftermath of Absalom’s rebellion. Though Absalom had betrayed David, when news of his son’s death reaches him, David doesn't rejoice. Instead, he weeps bitterly:  “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you!” (2 Samuel 18:33)

David’s grief is raw and honest. It reminds us that victory can still come with heartbreak. Even after the crisis, David’s return to the throne is marked by division, accusation, and ongoing unrest. These chapters reveal a deep truth: God's people are not exempt from pain, disappointment, or loss—but we are invited to walk through them with honesty and faith.

Psalm 34 gives us words to anchor our souls when life cuts deep:  

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” (v.1)

This psalm, written by David in another time of distress, models a faith that praises God not just in deliverance but even in difficulty. It's not about having everything together—it’s about knowing the Lord is near when everything feels like it's falling apart.

In Romans 2, Paul warns against hypocrisy and judgmental religion. He reminds the reader that God looks at the heart, not just outward behavior. “It is not those who hear the law who are righteous... but those who obey.” (Romans 2:13). This connects powerfully to David's story. David, with all his flaws and failures, was still called a man after God’s heart because he genuinely pursued God, repented when he sinned, and loved deeply—even when it cost him dearly.

These readings together teach us that God desires honest hearts over perfect appearances. He meets us in grief, grows us through hardship, and sees the sincerity of our faith more than the polish of our actions.

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