Matt Richards
2 Samuel 15 (2 3,4,6) He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge.... Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.
---- You know this is a real sad story. Absalom sat outside the city gate where people went in. He stopped the people, talked, sympathised and said if he was king it would be different. Basically he brought contention, he stirred. In doing this his aim was to steal the hearts of the people. And he succeeded, he stole their hearts in order to bring division, to bring dissension, to attempt to steal the crown. What a terrible story that ended ultimately in his death. Rebellion and dissension never succeed in kingdom. But people get deceived especially when someone shows great sympathy. Sometimes people have an ulterior motive in listening and that is to stir and steal your heart because they want you to leave the church. Not all sympathisers have your best interests; some have a spirit of Absalom. Sometimes the people who care about you most are the ones that tell you the truth, not what you necessarily want to hear. Prayer:
Father God give me great discernment in these times that i might not be deceived. Help me to be planted in the fellowship you have for me that i might bear fruit today In Jesus name amen.