The Daily Word: Saturday, May 29th, 2021
2 Samuel 14:1-15:22
John 18:1-24
Psalm 119:97-112
Proverbs 16:8-9
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And the king said, “Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king’s face. – 2 Sam. 14:24
Absalom was in exile for killing his brother. But King David wanted Absalom back, so he sent for his son and asked him to return to Jerusalem. But there was one grave condition. David didn’t want to see Absalom’s face. He called Absalom back home; but he didn’t allow a path to restored relationship with him. He blocked Absalom from intimacy with his own father!
But Absalom was persistent. He needed to see King David’s face! So he sent for one of David’s servants, Joab, to remind David that he needed to see his father. Absalom went so far as to set Joab’s fields on fire, just to get David’s attention and remind him that he needed to spend time with him! And as a result, Absalom got to see his father’s face:
So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom. – 2 Sam. 14:33
You need to see God’s face. You need time with your Father! Don’t settle for anything less than consistent, intimate encounters with your Father in heaven. God made you for relationship with Him! If you aren’t getting the time with God that you need, insist on it. Set a field on fire if you have to! And God will reward your persistence. He will meet you face to face. And as you “bow yourself on your face to the ground before the King” (v 33), just as Absalom did, your Father will reassure you of His love for you. He will meet you face to face: for as long as you need, and as often as you need, for the rest of your life!
Prayer:
Lord, I want to see Your face! I know that whoever has seen Jesus has seen the Father (Jn. 14:9). As I lay my life at Your feet and wholeheartedly insist on an encounter with You, I pray that You would meet me face to face, in Jesus’ mighty name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.