Turn Back And Live!

Today in the first reading from parts of 2 Samuel 18 and 19, we hear of the death of Absalom, the son of King David who tried to kill his father and take the kingdom.

It’s a tragic story where Absalom’s mule passes under a tree branch and Absalom’s hair becomes entangled. Hanging “between heaven and earth” by his hair, one of King David’s men seizes the opportunity and plunges three pikes into Absalom’s chest.

This “good news” about the death of an enemy is not what David wanted. He is plunged into mourning for his well-loved child, regardless of his child’s sin against him.

It called me back to Ezekiel 18:32, “For I take no pleasure in the death of a wicked man - oracle of the Lord. Turn back and live!”

We have free will to choose God or not. Hell isn’t a punishment so much as a choice. There was a time I thought I would delight in seeing “bad people” “get what they deserve” and that God would laugh too. But as I’ve matured in faith, I have come to realize that God is mercy. As I have at times wished for people to love me, God wishes the same. The God who declared what He made “good” and declared humanity “very good,” does not delight in our perishing. He wishes every person would chose Him.

And so I wish it too. Pray hard for those who have caused you harm. Instead of returning curses for curses, replace them with a blessing. “Love for your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).”

#Samuel #David #Ezekiel