“So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” ”
This passage stood out to me and I could not help but think that in the same way that David mourned for his rebellious son, so God mourns for His rebellious creation. Absalom was fully an adversary to David. He killed another one of David’s sons and he usurped his father’s throne. He publicly slept with David’s concubines to embarrass him and then led an army out against his father to kill him. But David’s heart was inclined towards mercy towards Absalom and he deeply grieved his death.
This is a depth of love that I don’t think that many would have today. How much more is God’s love poured out towards all of the lost across the face of a fallen creation. It truly is a scandal, that Jesus Christ, the good son, incarnate deity, would be sacrificed for our sake. A rebellious creation, that usurps His will and His authority. The people who use His name as a curse, and willfully hate and hurt and defile and slander one another. This is what He sacrificed His son for? I am at a loss for words, pondering the total depravity of us.
God, help us to remember your grace, your mercy, your goodness. Help us to seek you out your heart daily, that we might demonstrate your love towards others. Pluck us out of the depths of sin that we gleefully dive into before you call us and rescue us from the entangling sins that hamper us from fully pursuing you each and every day. Help us to be a voice of reason, a voice of mercy, an advocate for grace to those who are without you and help us to boldly proclaim the need for a savior in the midst of a world that remains in stubborn rebellion. God, please bring revival to this nation, both for those who call on Your name, and those who despise it.