2 Sam.18:33-19:10 Victory Turned Into Mourning
Intro: David’s life has turned into a complete Mess It all
started one night David was at the wrong Place at the wrong Time
A)Instead at war – at Home – Bathsheba –
B) The result One son Rapes his ½ sister / Another son kills his brother /
that son tries to over throw the Kingdom – Until He is finally stopped &
Killed
1)We
pick up in Ch.18:33 W/ David hearing the news of Absalom’s death
33Then the king
was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he
went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died
in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”
C) When David hears the news that Absalom was Dead He is overwhelmed by
grief / DEEPLY MOVED = deeply distressed greatly grieved – Why?
D)
Why was he so broken over the death of this son – who was rebellious / who was
a murder / This son who tried to overthrow his Kingdom
1) This son who had Sexually Violated David’s
own wives / Concubines why was David so broken up over the death of this Son
? 2 REASON
1st Because of what Absalom’s death probably
meant for Absalom/ Let me suggest to you a Contrast
A)When
David’s Child that was conceived from his Adulterous relationship w/ Bathsheba
died 7 days after he was born{ David didn’t grieve
B)
The baby was born sick – and for 7 days David fasted & prayed that God
would spare the Child – but once the Child died
1)
David washed –
came out & ate and seemed fine – he wasn’t depressed & David’s servants
were blown away – Why aren’t you mourning ?
C)
Answer? David said to his servants – he cannot be
w/ me – but I will go to him – You see : David had confidence his baby
was in heaven And one day he would see his son again
D)
When A Child who dies under the age of accountability
– under the age of really knowing or understanding the gospel – that Child goes
to heaven
1)
That Child is in the
presence of the Lord – David realized that
But he didn’t feel the same way about Absalom / David
didn’t where Absalom went –David was grieved for his Son’s
Soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A)
He knew that Absalom was rebellious / unregenerate / I think that David feared
that Absalom was lost for eternity & it broke his heart
B) Parents worst fear is that their kids will spend
eternity in Hell
1) That is a sobering thought – one that
should cause every one of us who are parents here to do what we can to make
sure our kids are saved
C) They all have to choose to follow Christ – but we
can be setting stage for them to be saved – re-emphasizing their need for
Salvation
1)
Talking w/ them &
modeling for them what it really means to have a relationship w/ Christ / what
it means to walk w/ Christ !!!
So the first reason that David mourned over the death of Absalom–he was grieving for his soul – 2nd was because of Guilt
A)
David probably felt that if he hadn’t sinned w/ Bathsheba setting a horrible
example for his sons – none of this would have happened
B) David Probably felt – If only I had been a better father – better spiritual
leader for my Family – None of this would have happened
C)
Now there is a place for this type of Mourning & Grieving – but sorrow can have a way of crippling us
– doing damage to those who are around us
D)And there comes a time that no matter how hard the
difficulty we need to rise up & allow God to work
1) All God
to use the tragedy & to make the most out of the tragedy
E)
That is what Joab encourages David to do here in ch.19 / Rd v.1-10
As we Look this episode in the life of DAVID there are 3 things that I want us to Consider about Rising above our Tragedies & Difficulties A)1st Why it is important that we rise above / 2nd How it is Possible to rise above / 3rd What we are reminded of thru the Process
B) So first of all we want to notice why it is so important that we rise above - BECAUSE Our outlook affects other –
C) Joab goes to David & says King
you have got to snap out of this /you have got to pull it together – You are
bringing the kingdom down You are on the verge of losing everything
Noticed how David’s mourning affected others – note 4 things
– begin D
A)1st
they were Despairing – v.2 Their Victory was
turned into mourning
B)
Instead of rejoicing that the Kingdom could now be restored they were mourning,
feeling like they did something wrong – because Absalom died
1)
These people had stood
for David against the Majority who had followed Absalom in his Revolt
C) These People had risked
their lives for David – they had fought hard
for David – they had remained Loyal to David
1)
But David’s response
had made them feel like they had done the Wrong thing –
D) David was depressed
& Depression spreads like wild fire – affects those who are around
you { Affected their Celebration turned into mourning !!!
1)
And that can happen
when you are overwhelmed by grief – It can really put a Damper on someone
else’s Celebration
2nd They were Defeated – v.3 The people felt ashamed
– v.8 everyone fled to their own tent –
A)They
felt we have great cause to Celebrate because what they were fighting for had been
accomplished/ but David’s reaction made them feel otherwise
B) When our first
Child my Son Aaron was born –: We had friends who were Pregnant at the same
time & Their Baby Died in Labor
C)
Now We were so happy & rejoicing for our Son – but at the same time – I
felt a bit ashamed –
1)
like how can we
rejoice for out blessing when they are suffering from their loss{ First time
sitting in back – they walked in – Hide
D)
They never let us feel that way – The have Embraced our son { They rejoiced w/
us / And we grieved w/ them – Closer bond
3rd They were disgraced – v.5 Love your enemies more than your friends
A)That
is how the people were feeling & because Joab mentions the Princes we can
assume that is how some of David’s kids were feeling
B)
Dad is all worked up about that rebel – I guess we
really don’t Matter !!
1) How many times has this happened in a
family- where one Child has a Problem or is problem
– the other kids start feeling like they don’t matter
C)
In fact when parents spend all their energy on their rebellious Child I have
seen non-rebellious kids get become rebellious
1)Thinking
that must be what I need to do to get some
attention around here
So they were Despairing / they were Defeated / Disgraced
/ 4th v.9 They were
disputing w/ each other –
A)Because
their leader wasn’t leading – they were becoming divided !!!
B)
And when those who are called to lead in the family or in a ministry become
consumed by their own tragedies – others will become divided
So this passage presents a good illustration of how our
outlook will affect others – Joab comes to David & says – Stop it / get it
together
A)See,
there is a place for mourning – but there comes a time when a mature believer
has to say/ I need to get it together not let my emotions affect others
B) There comes a
time when a mature believer says – Ok it is time to get on w/ life
–Remember Samuel over Saul – God says –
1) How long
I have Chosen a new
King / the people have been being neglected long enough – it is time to get w/
the program
C)
Now Did David have a right to Mourn – absolutely But it should have been done Privately & not Publicly
1) Contrast David w/ Paul the Apostle
We have noted in our Wed. night Phil. study the example of
Paul – who was in a Prison cell in Rome But had Joy in the midst of his
Circumstance
A)Difference
between Joy & Happiness – Happiness is based on outward circumstances – Won the lottery / the Game / got the raise =
Happiness
B) Joy is not based on outward circumstances but Joy is based on an inward peace or knowing that Jesus is in
Control – on the throne
C)
I can guarantee you that Paul was not happy to be in Prison – he wasn’t
thinking you know I needed a vacation – great 3
meals a day / TV
1) A chance to get some writing done – No Prisons in Rome were Brutal
D)
Paul was a normal guy who had real feelings & emotions who wasn’t always
happy/ Paul experienced great fear
& sorrow from his trials –
1) 2
Cor 1:8 Burdened beyond measure despairing
of even life itself
Emotions – I don’t even want to live anymore
But Paul had Joy – Inner Peace – quiet confidence in the
Lord
But Paul never stayed Depressed – because his outlook was Jesus
A)For me to live is
Christ -
B) Paul said in everything give thanks for this is the will of God
1) Note the key word in that verse is IN –
Note Paul doesn’t say – For everything give thanks – Thank you I am in Prison
C) Thank you for the Cancer that is attacking my Body – No he
doesn’t say – For everything give thanks – But in –
1)
Lord
I am going to thank you in the mist of this trial – because I know that you
love me / Know you are faithful / that you are working
D)
So Paul’s Outlook was to Look to Christ – Be thankful in Christ
1)
And His outlook
affected others Soldiers were saved /
E)
Christians were built up & gained a Confidence to share their faith & face the suffering that would follow
1)
And even Christians
like us – centuries later – Encouraged by his Joy in the mist of his suffering
So it is Important to understand Your outlook affects
others/ had Paul moaned & groaned –
complained no soldiers would have been saved –
A)They would have viewed Paul as just another uptight complaining prisoner – No soldiers would have been saved
B)
Instead they saw him in a completely different way{ their lives were deeply
touched – and many came to Christ
Now you might be thinking – ok I understand that my actions
affect others
A) And I hear what you are saying Joy is not an attainment but an attitude / but realistically how do I deal w/ that
B) Am I supposed to just smile & pretend to be happy ? I don’t want to bum people out I don’t want
to cause people to be defeated /disgraced /
1) But what I am going thru hurts so bad – How to I get over this ?
C)
Note 3 things Concerning how it is Possible to rise above
1) 1st you do what Jairus did Lk
8 –{Story – Looked at Jesus – Do not be afraid
only believe
D) You do what
Jairus did – You take your eyes off the situation & put your eyes on Jesus
& you believe – Faith Chases away fear
2nd – You Learn what Paul Learned : 2 Cor.12
– My grace is sufficient Power is made perfect in
your weakness – Every time you are week
–opportunity for me to Show my Strength –
A)And
so you look to & lean to the Sufficiency of God’s Grace / Daily thing
B)
In each moment you believe the truth of God’s word concerning the sufficiency
of the grace of God – that is able to carry you thru
3rd – You Say what Jesus said – Jn 12 – My heart is
Troubled – But Jesus said Father you be glorified
A)It
is telling the Lord -The most important thing is
not my personal comfort or feelings / but Your Plan & your glory – that
means the world to me !!!
B)
Denise & I are presently in the mist of the greatest trial of our lives /
as someone very close to us / in wife’s family is in a lot of trouble
1)
He is going
to prison/ –the Dynamics of the family are probably going to
be changed forever
C)
What is interesting is a yr. ago God began to prepare
us – Courson retreat Some of you are going to go thru – a heavy ordeal –
big trial
1)
Right now we are in a
very difficult situation – being called upon to minister to the family / hold it together – concerning sensitive
issues
D)
We have had to put aside our own anger & grief – to mourn Privately and to
seek God’s grace & strength to minister – Publicly
1)
To Play the role of
mediators Ministers for the family
For a month now it has
been an issue everyday / there has been something to deal w/ involving
this situation
A)I have wondered a few times – Lord is this going to wipe us out ? Or is this going to be something that you can be glorified thru
B) The fact that God had pre-warned both of us
separately that something was coming – gives me confidence that he wants
to be glorified in this
1)
So we are looking to Him –
like Jairus – We are learning what Paul learned
that – His grace is sufficient – Daily
thing
C)
And we are saying & Praying like Jesus – Father you be
glorified in the midst of all this
– I believe that He will.
1)
Result is a peace
& a Joy in the mist of it – A Peace that
surpasses all understanding – that guarding our hearts & minds
D)
That scripture has become more real to me than ever – Mind is being guarded
& it is a good thing !!!
4th What are we reminded of in the Process ?
A)Simply
this When you go thru that type of thing it allows you in a much deeper way to
enter into the Fellowship of Christ suffering
B)
David could now Identify w/ God the Father on what it was like to have a
rebellious Child – God has been putting up w/ that
for Centuries
1) We get to FEEL first hand – what God has
felt for 1000’s of yrs – the grief that sin has upon families
C)
And every life that is wrecked by an illness – gives us the opportunity to
identify w/ God who everyday watches millions of people suffer from the
consequences of Sin entering into this
world –