Absalom's Monument

The Death of Absalom

During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to carry on my name.” He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom’s Monument to this day.

 (2 Samuel 18:18 NLT)

Absalom, the son of a king, was a handsome and gifted young man, but if you live your life just for yourself, you end up building an empty idol.

Absalom rebelled against his Father, David, and stole the hearts of the people (2 Samuel 15: 1-6 NLT).  This episode tells us that it was all about Absalom.  He was not about his Father’s business.  Absalom was not heir to the kingdom, Solomon was.  His selfish ambition had motivated him to take something that was not rightly his. A usurped title does not make you a king. Those who want a level of leadership God does not have for them are not prepared to assume it.  Absalom did take the kingdom, but only temporarily.  You can have short-term success with these methods, but it always leads to long-term disaster.

 Absalom was concerned about his legacy.  We don't know why he had no son to carry on his name because at one time he had three sons (2 Samuel 14:27 NLT).  Self-centered people, like Absalom, never invest themselves in others.  If we are not willing to devote ourselves in those who God has placed over us or under us in leadership, we will never leave a lasting legacy.  It was Absalom's intention to be buried at his monument, but instead was interred in a shallow grave, far away.  Let others decide whether you deserve a memorial.  Those who build a monument for themselves, construct an empty idol.

 Image from Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absalom#/media/File:Weltchronik_Fulda_Aa88_286r_detail.jpg

Ken Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places”  YWAM Publishing
Email:  kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/

Blogs: http://kensblog757.blogspot.com

            http://gleanings757.blogspot.com

Podcasts: http://kensblogpodcast.blogspot.com

                http://gleaningspodcast.blogspot.com

Is Anything Too Hard For God?

 “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27 NLT)

Life presents us with many challenges, fears within and problems around us.  Our emotions tell us that things will never change.  Our circumstances never catch God by surprise. At times like these, we must believe that there is nothing too difficult for God.

The Bible says that “If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31b NLT)  At this point some of you are probably saying to yourselves, then why are all these things happening to me?  Romans 8: 28 (NLT) tells us that all things work together for our good.  It does not say that all things are good but that he works then for our ultimate benefit.  There is one conditional part of this promise, “those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  Sometimes we try to live our lives as we see fit, regardless of God’s reasonable requirements, yet still expecting him to work everything out for our good. In this case, the limitations are not with God, but with us. 

Even in our willful disobedience, God through discipline seeks to change us for our good.  God is at work in us to give us the desire to obey him and to do what pleases him Philippians 2: 13 NLT.  Think about your greatest fear.  Bring to mind that problem in your life that will not seem to go away.  Ask this question.  Is anything too hard for God? Then allow the Word of God to answer that question.  “I am the Lord.......is anything too hard for me?”

Image used with permission by Microsoft.

Ken Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places”  YWAM Publishing
Email:  kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/

Blogs: http://kensblog757.blogspot.com

            http://gleanings757.blogspot.com

Podcasts: http://kensblogpodcast.blogspot.com

                http://gleaningspodcast.blogspot.com

Hiding Among the Baggage

Therefore they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” So the Lord said, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.”  (I Samuel 10:22 NASB)

Samuel was about to anoint Saul as the King of Israel, yet we find him hiding among the baggage.  Why?  Was it because he was small in his own eyes?

Tall but Small

Samuel had explained to Saul the plans of the Lord for him.  Saul had tested his anointing and had prophesied among the prophets.  His friends said of him, “What has happened to the son of Kish?” (1 Samuel 10: 11 NASB)  Upon his public revealing, they had to look for him among the baggage.  If God says that you can do it, it is never humility to say you can’t.  It’s timidity and stupidity.  It is never smart to contradict God.

I have had times in my ministry that I should have spoken out, but I didn’t.  I thought that there was probably someone better than me to do it.  Silence is golden justified my quietness. In these situations, I believe the color was a little more yellow than gold.  At other times God had placed on my heart to do various things.  There always seemed to be others who were better able to do the task. I decided that I would serve in the background and help them do it.  Honorable in some cases, but it was not real service or humility in others.  In fact, in some instances, it was an inverted form of pride.  I focused on what I could do--or not do. Instead of what God could do through me.

Are you small in your own eyes?  Has God said that you can do it?  Then don’t hide among the baggage.

Image used with permission by Microsoft.

Ken Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places”  YWAM Publishing
Email:  kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website: https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/

Blogs: http://kensblog757.blogspot.com

            http://gleanings757.blogspot.com

Podcasts: http://kensblogpodcast.blogspot.com

                http://gleaningspodcast.blogspot.com