Unprepared

 2 Samuel 18; Psalms. 56; Matthew 27

“Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.”

2 Samuel 18:9

Absalom was riding on a mule through a dense forest. It was during a military battle that would determine the future of Israel.

What was he thinking?

He was probably thinking about his image as a conquering hero among his followers. The hair which he so carefully cultivated and which won him much recognition, proved his undoing. His mule, which signified status, was ill-suited for travelling in battle and through a dense forest. Absalom was better suited to politics than battle. The qualities which are our strengths in one context can be our weakness in another context. Absalom’s father David knew when to take off Saul’s armor and fight with a sling. His son Absalom never had to fight a bear or a lion, so he was unprepared when the day came to fight for his life.

Are we learning the small lessons of discipleship which prepare us for greater challenges?

Are we thinking of our image, or of our effectiveness?

Lord, I repent for thinking more about how I appear to others than how you see me.  I will obey you in the daily discipleship lessons you have for me in humility knowing that if I am faithful with a little, you will entrust more to me, For Your Glory.