Consider Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God .” As we have thought through 2 Timothy, we have seen how the Word produces in us thankfulness that is unlike the thankfulness of the world. After all, Paul was in prison, about to be executed and yet he was thankful (and even rejoicing) for the gospel. We’ve seen that biblical success really has nothing to do with a life that is free from suffering, shame and failure. Thus, struggles, failures and valley’s will most certainly come–How will we survive?
The Apostle Paul was not the first to endure suffering and failure. We’ve seen how these things characterized David’s life, and yet he was continually rescued and sustained by God. We’ve seen David’s great sin and the consequences of that sin come to the surface over and over again. David’s own son conspired against him and caused him to flee Jerusalem. Yet, all the while, Yahweh was working for David, despite his failures and inadequacies. We’ve seen Yahweh thwart the counsel of those who sought David’s life and protect him when enemies were knocking on the door !
This Sunday, we will be considering Absalom’s Demise from 2 Samuel 18 . David had given clear instructions that Absalom was not to be hurt. Would Joab follow these instructions, or carry out his own will? If Absalom were to perish, how would he be remembered? We’ll see that he had already set up a monument for himself. Will this be how people remember this man who was to be the heir of the throne? How will you be remembered? Are you spending time building statues dedicated to yourself? Maybe this will become more clear as you think on these questions this week: “What am I most thankful for? What is it that I can’t do without? Could I survive without this thing or this person? And then, is this treasure that I cannot part with Jesus Christ?”
