Edward’s QT, David receives an erroneous report that Absalom killed all his brothers. In the midst of his grieving, Jonadab says it’s not true and that only Amnon was murdered. All the others return to David while Absalom runs away to his mother’s hometown in Geshur where he stays for three years. After mourning for Amnon, David misses Absalom but doesn’t go to see him.How do I heal my faintheartedness?David showed immense courage in facing Goliath, great restraint in not killing Saul, but he seemed powerless to face the midget in himself that blocks him from dealing righteously and appropriately with his children sins. The result is none of them turning to God for help and healing. One of David’s sons rapes one of David’s daughters and another son kills his rapist brother. David does nothing. He doesn’t confront or comfort or repent. Why? In a nutshell, I believe he’s lost his way because he no longer walks with the Lord. He doesn’t want to hear God’s word through Nathan the prophet anymore.When I look at myself, I see David’s faintheartedness sitting in me. Why don’t I consistently speak up when I see something wrong in someone else’s life? Part of my role is to help others see their waywardness and try to move them back to the right path. But because I’m aware of my own sins and I harbor a desire to be liked, I stay silent, like David, out of fear I will be mocked as a hypocrite. Jesus famously commented on this condition by telling me to take the log out of my own eye before trying to take the speck of sawdust out of my brother’s eye. Jesus’ message is that in repentance, there is God’s strength to help others.Although I have received forgiveness for specific incidents of adultery, arrogance, anger, impatience, and failure to pity, the consequences of them carry on. David’s life is a great example of what happens when I fail to repent.I recently received a letter from my son who’s going through a rough patch of life with a depressed wife and a trans daughter, both of whom are suffering from the ongoing effects of serious concussions. His health is declining. Despite being raised in a church community, he left the faith years ago. I look at his life so unfulfilled compared to mine in a Christian marriage and a vibrant Christian community. I wonder how much my adultery with his mother, which led to his birth and his mother’s divorce from her first husband, has ongoing consequences in his relationships. I wonder how his witness of my failure to address his mother’s alcoholism lingers in his relationships. I will likely never know, but it calls for prayerful repentance of my part, just as David’s children’s sins called for his repentance.Application: In writing to my son, I will try to comfort him. I will tell how I’m able to keep healing the troubles in my life and marriage through God’s word, our church community, and my ongoing repentance. Prayer: Lord have mercy and keep me ever mindful of the saving grace of repentance.
