2 Samuel #19: an exposition of 2 Samuel 17:1-29. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, July 28, 2013.
Intro:
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but life doesn’t always go as planned. What do you do when life goes against you? How do you continue on when life consistently knocks you down? We live in a fallen world and yet we are on the path of righteousness. That means we are at odds with the world around us. Life as a child of God is filled with challenges and difficulties. I supposed that God could transport us to glory the moment we believe but He doesn’t. We are left to struggle and strive for righteousness in this sin infested world. Why? The short answer is because it serves His purpose. We are not left to struggle on alone. We are not left to fend for ourselves. We’ve been given the Holy Spirit. We have His Word. We have the church. James, the half brother of our Lord, says that our struggle is part of God’s working righteousness in us. It is part of our maturing in faith and growing in righteousness. Now, that doesn’t make things any easier. It doesn’t make me step back and say, “Oh, I understand. I kind of like this.” I don’t! However, it does help knowing that there is a reason and purpose behind the struggle. I’ve learned that when I’m overwhelmed by heartache and hardship the “why” is not as important as the “who.” It is not necessary for me to know why I’m struggling when I know who I can trust.
It is also important to recognize as believers we are not just to “survive.”
We are told that we are more than conquerers through Christ.
We emerge from the struggle stronger and more Christ-like.
As we pass through the fires of adversity the dross is removed.
The fire proves to be a purifying work in us.
This evening we look again at king David and his fiery trial during Absalom’s rebellion.
This evening we discover…
Thesis: Faith under fire clings tenaciously to God’s sovereign goodness.
Text: 2 Samuel 17:1-29
Remember the context:
- David sinned greatly with Bathsheba.
- His original sin was then covered up with a murder.
- Yet nothing is hidden from God’s sight.
- David and his sin are exposed.
- David repents – yet continues to suffer the consequences of his sin.
- His eldest son, Amnon burns with lust toward his half sister Tamar.
- He violates Tamar and casts her aside.
- Absalom, Tamar’s brother, burns with hatred toward Amnon.
- After 2 years of nursing his hatred and planning, Absalom murders Amnon and flees.
- Meanwhile king David is the poster child of inactivity.
- Failing in his responsibility as a father and as a king.
- After some manipulating Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem.
- Yet he is plotting a coup.
- After 4 years of planning he has himself declared king at Hebron.
- Now David is on the run.
That’s where we pick up the story.
As we explore this chapter under the heading of, “Clinging tenaciously to God’s sovereign goodness” I want you to notice three principles from this text. Principles related to faith under fire.
- Our faith ultimately rests in the sovereign purposes of our God. (17:1-14)
- While trusting in God’s sovereign, providential care we are to act responsibly. (17:15-22)
- We can be assured that God will deal with our enemies while graciously supplying our every need. (17:23-29)