Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 13:23, ” And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim; so Absalom invited all the king’s sons. “

Background

In a seminar I attended recently, the speaker showed a picture of a glass which was half full of water. He then asked us how much did the water weigh. Not surprisingly, no one had a clue and the room was silent. After a bit, the speaker said that it didn’t matter, and explained the point of his illustration. You see, regardless of how much the water weighed, the longer one held it, the heavier it got. Now, even though the science may not be technically accurate, the truth still remains. The longer you hold up an object, the heavier it feels as its mass and gravity work together to tire out your arm. The same concept is in effect regarding the little annoyances that pester us throughout the day. Individually, each aggravation may be insignificant. But if they continue unaddressed, they prick and nip until our overreaction treats them as some life-threatening situation. But nothing perhaps compares to the damage that can be done by unresolved anger and resentment. Countless lives with sad and tragic endings have been attributed to the anger and bitterness that was harbored for years or decades.

Application

For Absalom, two years was his boiling point. He waited two uneventful years to get revenge on his half-brother, Amnon. He planned a party, filled him up on wine, and had his servants kill him. And just like that, his sibling was dead. Of course, Amnon’s wickedness with Tamar was extreme, and Absalom had every right to be enraged. But isn’t that always the case? Aren’t we always justified in our anger over a deed that’s always dreadfully wrong? We are, and it is. But not really. The damage and destruction that awaits shows us that the anger and wrath is not what we were made for. So don’t hold up that glass even one moment longer. Taste the quenching spirit of forgiveness.

Charge

As we seek Him today, let the Holy Spirit make today your last day of holding onto something and your first day of living without it.