2 Samuel 16-17
Then Absalom and all the leaders of Israel said, "Hushai's advice is better than Ahithophel's." For the LORD had arranged to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster upon Absalom! – 2 Samuel 17:14 NLT
When we last left David, he was on his way out of Jerusalem with his tail between his legs. He was a defeated man. His son had taken over his kingdom and he had fled. But as the Psalms we read reflect, David was still trusting in God. Even when confronted by an angry relative of Saul as he left Jerusalem, David didn't lash out – despite the fact that this guy was hurling abuse and stones in David's direction. "David said to Abishai and the other officers, 'My own son is trying to kill me. Shouldn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it. And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses.'" (2 Samuel 16:11-12 NLT). David had full confidence that God was intimately involved in every detail of what was going on. God had told him this would happen because of his affair with Bathsheba. So David was content to take his problem to God and watch to see what He would do.
As we read these two chapters, it is important to look for the hand of God. He is working behind the scenes – ensuring that His will is done. He uses the presence of Hushai, David's confidant, to foil the advice of Ahithophel. He protected the lives of the two spies who were bringing news to David. He convinced Absalom and his men to accept Hushai's plan even though Ahithophel's was better. This was all the work of God. "For the LORD had arranged to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster upon Absalom!" (2 Samuel 17:14 NLT). Absalom had a huge army, he had the city of Jerusalem, and he had the throne of his father David. But what he didn't have was God. He was on his own. As long as David had God on his side, this was going to be a lopsided affair. It was Paul who said, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 NIV). Do we believe that? If we have God on our side, do we believe that there is nothing or no one too great for us to endure? David did. This didn't mean he didn't have fears and doubts. Just read his Psalms. But he took them to God. He shared his feelings with the only one who could do anything about it – God. He was going to trust God with his life and his circumstances. Will we?
Father, I can get so focused on the circumstances of life, that I lose sight of You. I start to doubt Your presence and power. I start to try to solve my own problems. But David kept calling out to You. He gave You his fears. He turned to You when he was scared. He wanted to see You work in his life. May I develop that habit of searching for and seeing You in the daily affairs of my life. You are ALWAYS at work behind the scenes, even though I may not see it at first. Help me to trust You more. Amen