LESSONS THROUGH LOSS -BLESSINGS FROM BURDENS
Posted by: preacher30673 <preacher30673@...>
Lessons through Loss
blessings from burdens
II Samuel 19:1-39
Centuries ago there lived a man whose name has become synonymous with suffering. He lived in a land called Uz. The man 's name was Job. He was noted for his integrity, his spirituality, and his innocence. Job had been blessed with a large family (ten children) and great herds of animals— a sign of his wealth. If you are unfamiliar with the story, you may be saying to yourself, "If that 's a life synonymous with suffering, I 'm ready for a little suffering myself."
You had better consider scene two in the life of Job— he lost it all. The children died. The herds were destroyed. Even Job's good health was removed. How do you think he responded to loss?
Listen to his own words: "Naked came i out of my mother's womb. and naked shall l return thither : the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed he the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21 ).
Then the author of the Book of Job added this comment, "In all this Job sinned not , nor charged Cod foolishly" (Job 1:22). Those are astonishing words.
Few people can handle loss with the maturity of a Job. As a case in point, examine the life of David . The monarch of Israel had been driven from his palace in Jerusalem and forced to seek refuge in the high country of Gilead to the east of the Jordan. His enemy was his eldest living son, Absalom.
Conflict was inevitable, but David warned his men to be careful not to hurt his rebellious son (II Samuel 18:5, 12). However, in direct opposition to the king's wishes, Joab and his armor bearers killed and mutilated the prince. When David
learned of his son's death, grief overwhelmed him (18:33). The tears of sorrow like an endless river flow over into chapter 19.
The victorious king seemed unable to control his heartache. Although II Samuel 19 has long been envisioned as a chapter of triumph, there is another theme clearly prominent— learning through loss.
Let's take a fresh look at an old story.
The Sorrow That Was Shown
"And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom" (1).
The Exploit That Was Forgotten
"And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people" (2). There was a slaughter of 20,000 men by David's men.
The Ears That Were Filled
"for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son" (2).
David's son was slain that day in the battle. Absalom who had been leading the rebellion against David is also killed.
The Embarrassment That Was Felt
"And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle" (3).
"But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" (4).
A LOSS IS A BURDEN THAT IS HARD TO BEAR, BUT THERE ARE BLESSINGS THAT CAN BE LEARNED THROUGH A LOSS.
I. A loss can temporarily cause One to lose OUR perspective (1-7)
Notice four words in the the opening verses: "weepeth," mourneth," "grieved," and "cried." These four words paint the picture of a grieving dad.
This grief paralyzed David. It clouded his thinking.
David's loss disabled him for doing his duties and fulfilling his responsibilities after the victory. Instead of remaining in the gate as he ought in order to greet and congratulate the returning soldiers, he went up to the chamber above the gate to get alone to mourn. Thus he forsook his duties in order to mourn. It was a pathetic and unbecoming sight to see David mourn so excessively over Absalom that he let all his duties go unattended.
The loss caused him to disregard his blessings. Though David lost Absalom, he had much to be thankful for anyway. Great victory had come to David's troops and terrible tragedy for the nation of Israel had been stopped by stopping the revolt. But David disregarded all of those blessings to mourn over Absalom. It was gross ingratitude.
One of the great helps for stopping or even avoiding excessive grief is to be thankful. Do not disregard your blessings, or you will be a dismal soul. Ingratitude will only increase your grief.
Grief may make it difficult for you to see blessings, but they are all around you if you will only look for them and give thanks to God for them.
Loss and grief often cause us to lose sight of the total picture and focus only on self.
David's excessive mourning was an exhibition of selfishness. The loss caused David to be disinterested in the situation of other people. He could only think of "his" troubles. Others had friends and loved ones killed in battle, too. But David only thinks of his sorrows. All those who are given to excessive mourning are guilty of selfishness. And selfishness does not improve one's situation. It only makes things worse and will give cause for more mourning if not corrected.
I. A loss can temporarily cause YOU to lose our perspective.
II. A loss can clearly cause YOU to remember God's PROVISION (9-10)
The people of Israel did not realize what they had in David until they lost him and his inadequate replacement, Absalom.
During the rebellion nothing good was said about David, but when the thought of losing him gripped them, they remembered his greatness.
Loss can cause us to value what we once had and recognize it as God's provision for us.
The people call to mind what benefits they had received by David, in their deliverance from many enemies; especially the Philistines, who had grievously oppressed them: and also their great ingratitude to David in driving him out of Jerusalem and forcing him to flee over Jordan, for the sake of Absalom.
A critical spirit will often rob you of a thankful spirit. However, a loss can cause you to reflect upon what you did have.
I. A loss can temporarily cause us to lose our perspective.
II. A loss can clearly cause us to remember God's PROVISION
III. A loss can tenderly cause us to be sensitive to others' problems (15-22)
Shemei could have been handled roughly within the realm of justice, but David loss made him sensitive to Shimei's plea. Absalom's death made David's heart tender to those who had need.
Though Abishai still wanted to kill Shemei, David showed him mercy.
A loss oftentimes makes our hearts tender and soft to others.
Job 23:16 - "For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me."
I. A loss can temporarily cause us to lose our perspective.
II. A loss can clearly cause us to remember God's PROVISION
III. A loss can tenderly cause us to be sensitive to others' problems
IV. A loss can ULTIMATELY cause us to appreciate God's People (33)
Barzillai had been a friend to David during his loss. If David had never experienced loss, he would have never experienced the friendship of Barzillai.
David's life was enriched with his association with Barzillai. Barzillai supported David when David "lay at Mahanaim." At Mahanaim, David was in rejection by Israel. Isarel had rejected him and was following Absalom. David had lost his throne; he was in exile. Yet, Barzillai still supported him. Supporting David when he was in rejection demonstrated encouraged David.
Sometimes loss will cause to have a fresh appreciation for God's people. A friend is one who comes in when the whole tide goes out.
I heard the owner of the New England Patriots Robert Kraft say the other morning that one of the dearest friends he had was President Trump. When he lost his wife Myra, that then the man Donald Trump came up to the funeral and then called him once a week for the whole year, the most depressing year of his life he said.
A loss can cause you to appreciate what you have in your church family.
Conclusion
Trials, tears, and trouble may come our way. We may suffer loss, but may God help us to look beyond the loss to the lessons that can be learned.
There are many things that are only learned in the fires of suffering or loss.
IN HIS ETERNAL GRIP,
Pastor Jimmy Chapman
Victory Baptist Church
706-678-1855
--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: pastormail-unsubscribe@welovegod.org