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Sweeter Than Honey: The Banished One is No Longer Outcast

4/12/2022

18 Comments

 
“We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. BUT #GOD will not take away life, and He devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.” (2 Samuel 14:14) There are so many beautiful pictures of #redemption scattered throughout the #OldTestament. This verse is just one of them. I'm that banished one. You're that banished one, friend. And a way of #salvation has been made for us! The banished one is no longer outcast! #Biblestudy
From the Old Testament to the New, the eternality of God's Word is clearly proclaimed: 

Job tells us, “I have treasured the Words of His mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12). 

Isaiah reminds us that, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). 

And Matthew records Jesus saying, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

God's Word is like an eternal Love Letter to us!

​Have you ever received a love letter, friend? Did you read it? Did you read it just once, or did you read it over and over again? A Love Letter is a treasure when you love the One who sent it!
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How would you like to read through God's Love Letter—His Word, the Bible, with a group of like-minded, Christian girlfriends? We're doing that over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group. Did you know you don't have to start a Bible reading plan on January 1? You can begin today! This simple plan, and an accountability partner, will help you succeed. Who will be your accountability partner? Share this post with them and invite them to the private Facebook group.
JOIN THE PRIVATE SWEETER THAN HONEY FACEBOOK GROUP
Sweeter Than Honey is patterned after this Bible Reading Itinerary. On Tuesdays, here at the blog, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through God's Word and Sweeter Than Honey, together! I would also encourage you to Join us over in the private, Sweeter Than Honey, Facebook group, introduce yourself, meet new friends, and share your thoughts there as well. We're waiting for you!

2 Samuel 13-15: The Banished One is No Longer Outcast

“We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and He devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.” (2 Samuel 14:14)
There are so many beautiful pictures of redemption scattered throughout the Old Testament. This verse is just one of them.
In chapter 13 of 2 Samuel, we read of Absalom, King David's son, killing his brother, Amnon, because of the wrong Amnon did to Absalom’s sister, Tamar. “But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar. After two full years, Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons” (2 Samuel 13:22-23).

Absalom waited two full years to avenge the violation of his sister. After killing Amon, Absalom fled to Geshur and remained there three years. “But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years” (13:37-38).

Chapter 14 records that Joab, knowing that David loved and longed for Absalom and that his heart went out to him, sent a wise woman from Tekoa to convince David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem. This is part of what the wise woman says to King David: “We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and He devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast” (2 Samuel 14:14).
When I read that verse today, it spoke to my soul. Here, this wise woman was speaking words to King David that have relevance to our lives thousands of years later. We will all die. We will be spilled out on the ground like water that cannot be gathered up again. God does not hold back from us the opportunity for eternal life—that choice is clearly in our hands. And the best part of that verse is that He has made a means “so that the banished one will not remain an outcast!” I am that banished one. You are that banished one, friend. And a way of salvation has been made so that we will not remain an outcast. The banished one is no longer outcast!!! Let’s praise the Lord for that today!
Besides Calvary, of course, what is your favorite picture of redemption recorded in the Bible?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a love letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important—the eternal. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are all tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can.
Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!

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Please Share
18 Comments
Michele Morin link
4/12/2022 09:19:44 am

The twists and turns of David 's complicated life are so instructive and redemptive!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/12/2022 09:32:22 am

I'm so glad, Michele, that even though the Bible records that David was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), it also records those twists and turns—the ups and downs—the times when he wholeheartedly followed God, and the times when he did not. There is hope found for all of us there! :)

Reply
Barbara Harper link
4/12/2022 09:22:14 am

There are so many beautiful pictures of redemption in Scripture--the lost sheep, the prodigal son. One of my favorites is in Ezekiel 16 where God described Israel as an abandoned child that He took in, cleaned up, and raised as His own.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/12/2022 09:43:38 am

I love reading this little glimpse of redemption today, Barbara, especially during this week between Palm Sunday and Easter. How appropriate!!

And I love that about Israel —> "...an abandoned child that He took in, cleaned up, and raised as His own." That's us too, isn't it!!

Reply
Donna link
4/12/2022 10:18:43 am

Beautiful picture of redemption!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/12/2022 12:05:57 pm

Yes, Donna! And I love that we're reading about this the week between Palm Sunday and Easter <— the most beautiful picture of redemption!!

Reply
Susan Shipe link
4/12/2022 10:57:13 am

Ah, David. My dear brother!!!

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/12/2022 12:06:36 pm

My most favorite biblical character to study! :)

Reply
Lauren Sparks link
4/12/2022 03:27:13 pm

I love the stories of women in the bible. I just finished studying Esther and never realized how many things point to Jesus. The story of Ruth is also one of my favorite pictures of redemption.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/12/2022 03:37:42 pm

I love both of these stories, Lauren! Ruth, especially, is a beautiful picture of redemption, and she's in the genealogical line of Jesus!!

Reply
Jerralea Winn Miller link
4/12/2022 05:12:29 pm

Wow! Even though I've read the book of 2 Samuel before, I had not noticed the second part of 14:14. He makes a way for outcasts! How amazing is that?

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/12/2022 07:22:49 pm

Jerralea, I just LOVE how I can read God's Word over and over and over again, yet every time it is fresh and new to me! I see and read things I've never seen or read before. It truly is the Living Word of God!

Reply
Joanne Viola link
4/12/2022 10:15:49 pm

Patsy, beautiful encouragement and hope. "A way of salvation has been made so that we will not remain an outcast." Amen.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/13/2022 08:18:08 am

Such a great Hope, Joanne!!

"My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand..." —Robert Critchley

Reply
PaulaShort link
4/13/2022 10:29:50 pm

I appreciate this blessed message today. I’m thinking about the woman at the well & the adulterous woman, when Jesus says, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. With every spring comes an abundance of new life. May you experience the joy, happiness, and beauty of this Holy season. Happy Easter. Blessings.

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
4/14/2022 02:27:31 pm

I love the story of the Samaritan woman—the woman at the well, Paula!! I was that woman! Jesus pursued me in so many ways. He would not let me go, and by some miracle, here I am today. It's absolutely humbling!

Isn't it amazing that we celebrate our new life in Christ at Easter time in the Spring!?! It's no coincidence that "With every spring comes an abundance of new life."

Reply
Laura Thomas link
4/18/2022 03:06:02 pm

Ah, God's Word is so incredibly rich and there is always some delectable morsel to be found for our nourishment! 🤗

Reply
Patsy Burnette link
1/6/2024 12:23:36 pm

Absolutely, Laura!! God's Word is like an endless banquet of wisdom, comfort, and guidance, providing nourishment for our souls. May your continued exploration of God's Love Letter to us bring you ever-deepening insights and spiritual nourishment.

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