Priorities

My Bible studies this week overlapped. We can see some messed up priorities in David’s life. While my other study was about determining and implementing Biblical priorities.

Basically as David’s army in exile began their march into battle against Absalom and his forces, David made a firm plea to his military leaders and to each group of soldiers leaving through the gates of the city he is currently taking refuge in. “The king gave orders to Joab, Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom’ (2 Samuel 18:5, CJB). While it seems like this was a compassionate and loving thing to do, David was actually putting his family above sound military procedures that would protect David’s followers. Keeping Absalom alive was increasing the chances of a continued struggle, and more death and destruction for Israel. “David had been putting his family above his duties to Yehoveh for a very long time, and the outcome was disastrous” (Bradford, Torah Class, Lesson 27).

In Christian circles we often hear the saying “God comes first and family second.” However, many Christians make decisions based solely on what is best for their family. In the NavPress study on how to live as a mature Christian (Bearing Fruit in God’s Family), there’s two sessions on priorities. In the second part there’s a chart that places God first, followed by Family, Work, and Other. All these are realistic priorities. However, another illustration shows how our relationships with others, including our family, improve as we focus on becoming more Christ-like. The goal is to have everybody pursuing God’s interests. On each side of the base of a triangle are people, and God is at the top point. As the people get closer to God, they move up the sides of the triangle and actually get closer to each other as they do. (I wish I could draw a picture for you but I’m not that skilled on a computer.) Try diagraming this for yourself.

David’s example shows that he was not drawing closer to God but trying desperately to improve his relationship with Absalom setting aside the God guidelines he was supposed to be focusing on. It’s not wrong to want closer relationships with our family members and others. It just doesn’t truly happen until everyone is pursuing God.

July 4, 2019

Patriotic ideas reel around this date in American historical annuls. There were issues of patriotism in the Israel of David’s era as well. Who would the people support? David and be forced to flee Jerusalem? Or Absalom and reign in Jerusalem rebelling against God’s anointed king?

Just like in our day and age, pretty sounding words and decisive actions drew people to Absalom. The people were drawn to king Saul in the same way. Absalom appeared as a kingly figure. Absalom did things to please and sway the people. Underlying those actions was self-aggrandizement going on. Absalom was seeking to better his reputation, influence and power over the state of Israel. He felt he deserved the right to rule. He’d been planning it for a long time (all the way back to when he killed his half-brother, Amnon, to eliminate the competition for the throne).

As we live in America today, we need to be evaluating those that wish to lead our nation. Are they using pretty sounding words? Are they appealing to the vanity of different people groups? What are their true motives? Does their plans really aid our nation as a whole or just certain segments of our society? I realize, as I struggle to get real answers to these questions myself, that it seems impossible to evaluate those in leadership in our country on a national scale. We find ourselves forced into “reading between the lines” and looking for “off-the-record” comments to determine what’s real. I feel powerless to know for certain what is right, although I do have my opinions.

So, I do what I can. I pray – a lot. I learn to apply Scripture to my own actions and try to evaluate whether the behavior of these would-be leaders agree with Scripture’s commands. And, I bring it closer to home. I look at local leaders I can get to know for myself (instead of relying on Facebook or newspapers). I apply the Scriptural commands to their ideas and behaviors. Furthermore, I look at my church leaders. How are they measuring up? And I ask myself, and pray some more, about what I can or should be doing to uphold the principles of God. In my own life, in the life of local leaders, and in the way I vote.

That’s what I’m thinking about on this 4^th of July. This is what I’m praying about on this 4^th of July. I desire to be patriotic, but my heart longs to be right with God.