Sweeter Than Honey: The Banished One is No Longer Outcast

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!

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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