Family trouble is the worst of troubles, in Psalm 3 David flees from Absalom his son. “And Absalom sent for Ahithophel, (David’s counselor/advisor), while he offered sacrifices, and the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom” (2 Sam.15:12). Don’t we try to flee from troubles that arise in the family: either that or ‘hide our heads in the sand’ so to say. As we do, David complains to his Lord, “Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there are which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God.” As though “Lord, look how they increase.” Usually our troubles come in bunches. At times we may roll along quiet well and then we get hit in the face with a flock of them. It was hard enough that Absalom, his darling son was against him; then David gets word that his preacher is in on the conspiracy “And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness” (2 Sam.15:31). His faithful counselors had turned their backs on him; some of his devoted generals and soldiers had forsaken him and joined ranks in the rebellion. We see the old king going up the Mt. of Olives, head covered and barefooted (shame), weeping, complaining to God, and singing. This sums up the spiritual journey of the believer as he ascends the Mt. Olive of his pilgrimage here below. He wept and prayed, wept and sang, wept and believed. Here is a wonderful blessing in lesson form! Burdened with disobedient children, friends turned traitor; pray, believe and sing. We weep, pray and try to believe and sing through our tears. “Many there be which say to my soul…No help for you, God hath forsaken thee” a spiritual assault. Our Lord experienced such, “Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the king of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if he will have him: for He said, I am the Son of God. .... Jesus cried with a loud voice, … My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt.27). Men were barking in His ears and the devil to His soul, “There is no God for you.” Mr. Spurgeon said, “It is the most bitter of all afflictions to be led to fear that there is no help for us in God.” Oh my soul to be deserted of the Father is wormwood and gall! Wife desert me, children forsake me, friends despise me, I can bear all, but please my Lord and my God stay near me. And He will, “But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me.” A buckler round about; Jehovah is our buckler and shield forevermore. “What a shield God is for His people! He wards off the fiery darts of Satan from beneath, and the storms of trials from above, while at the same instance He speaks peace to the tempest within” (CHS). “Thou art my glory”, if I’m driven into exile, if my name is defamed and put to shame, if I am kept in obscurity from now on will that diminish the glory? Not if the Lord is my glory, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
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