The Power of Absalom

¹³ Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
¹⁴ So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”- 2 Samuel 15:13-14

     Is this really the same David I have been studying? Is this the brave warrior who has defeated so many of the enemies of the Lord? Is this not the king who was chosen and anointed by God? Why is David running away? Absalom has successfully turned many against David, but God is still in control. I'm not sure what is going through David's mind. Perhaps it was far worse than the text implies and David is being very wise. Perhaps he is still just avoiding the situation with his son for fear of what may happen. I don't know. What I do know is that I face the same situation every day. All around me people are with "Absalom". Satan's grip is strong and sometimes seems unshakable. Do I run away? Unfortunately I often do. I convince myself that people have chosen to side with "Absalom" and I run away. I decide that they are too loyal and that to share the Gospel would be a waste. And perhaps I am much more like David than I care to think. Justifying my cowardice to keep peace with family members who do not believe. What am I worried about? Why do I doubt? David actually says, "we shall not escape from Absalom." Surprise! The same God that helped a young, scrawny David topple Goliath is the same God Who would protect him from Absalom. And though I often seem to forget, He is the same God who works through me in the hearts of even the most devout followers of "Absalom."