All In The Family

I am not sure what your family is like but there are not many out there like David’s, he has one messed up family. Today we are reading about the return of Absalom to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 14 – Absalom (David’s son) ran away after he killed his brother because his brother raped his sister… seriously messed up. I know it’s weird but I am really glad this story is in the Bible. I am not glad that it happened but I am glad that it is a part of God’s word. I am glad because it gives me hope that no one, no family, is too far from God to be saved – no one is too messed up.

My own family has a history of sin that is hard to understand – thankfully my brother and I are the first generation that did not suffer the same sin as the one before. It is hard to see how God will make things right sometimes, how He can forgive and bring us to a place of forgiveness after terrible things have happened around us and to us.

This story of Absalom is terrible and what happened to Tamar is unspeakable but the grace and mercy that is shown to Absalom regardless of whether he or his brother deserved it is humbling. At the end of the chapter, David and Absalom are brought back together and it closes with a moment of reconciliation.

I think this is a message so many of us need to hear, there can be reconciliation. Even when it seems impossible, even when it is impossible – God can bring reconciliation. That doesn’t mean that what happened was ok, that doesn’t mean that it was right or that it needs to just be forgotten but reconciliation can happen. I don’t know how and I know that it won’t be easy but I know that God knows and I trust Him.

If you are reading this and are in need of reconciliation – whether it’s between you and another person or between you and God, I pray that you will hear that nothing is impossible with God. I am so glad to serve a God that is big enough to use people like me that don’t have all the answers, I am so glad that when things don’t make sense I don’t have to have the answers before it can be made right. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

- Vicki Sommerwerck, Youth/Missions Minister