Daily Devotional for Thursday, January 11

Absalom and Amnon

“Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not, have I not commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant,” 2 Samuel 13:28.

Growing up I would often go ‘coon hunting with my dad late at night. I enjoyed tracking through the woods, spotlighting in the trees, listening to the dogs bay in the distance. These are great memories, but I would never have done that on my own. There was no way I would have climbed through the dark woods on my own at that age. But with dad, I was fine.

We find strength and courage in the presence of someone greater than ourselves. We see this in war, we see this in sports, and most importantly, we see this in Scripture. God often tells His people to fear not because He is there with us, ready to aid, telling us what to do.

This pattern, however, gets turned on its head with Absalom and his servants. In his anger at his half brother for his wicked deed against Absalom’s sister Tamar, Absalom planned to kill Amnon. While plotting out the details and encouraging his servants to carry out the plan, he told them to not have fear and to be courageous. Why? Because he was commanding them. He was in control. His presence produced resolve in them to carry out this murder.

So we should learn something from this. We can be instilled with a courage that does not necessarily promote godliness. Ungodly courage is a real thing. Just as being aware that God’s presence and directive in our lives can produce godly courage to be faithful, so can the commanding presence of a negative influence produce ungodly courage to do wrong. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with godly influences.

REFLECTION
We transform into that upon which we gaze. Focus on Jesus.

Jason Rutherford