Day 22 of 90 - 2 Samuel 3:22 - 2 Samuel 16

Day 22 - COMPLETE!

On Day 22, we completed 2 Samuel 3:22-2 Samuel 16, and of all the stories we read that spoke to me, the ones that hit me were 2 Samuel 11 and Samuel 13. David convinced himself that if he covered up his acts, no one would find out; and instead of things getting better for him, they got worse. Poor Bathsheba. She was minding her business and was beckoned by a man of power and influence. She had no say in the situation, and before she knew it, she was pregnant and her husband was dead. Although I’ve read this story so many times, what really hit me this time was this; God sees all. Even when you think you’ve outsmarted people, you can never outsmart God.

Then, there was Tamar and Amnon, and there are so many lessons we can learn from this horrific story, and this terrible act of incestuous rape, but this story teaches me a valuable difference between LOVE and LUST. Amnon thought he loved Tamar, but after he abused her, he hated her all the more. Why? Because love stays. Lust leaves. If Amnon had been honest with himself, he would’ve escaped death and delivered his sister from a lifelong stigma. But his emotions tricked him into thinking he was in love, when in fact, he was in Lust. At first glance, it may be hard to tell the difference because love and lust are identical twins on the outside, but fraternal foes on the inside. Here are a few practical clues.

If a person treats you liked a leased vehicle, then 9 times out of 10, lust is driving them to your lot. If a person really loves you, they will be patient and kind. Simple as that. Lust, however, is impatient and aggressive. Lust will act now, and listen later. My prayer is that God will help us to peel back the layers of resemblance and identify the differences. I also pray for every Tamar in our churches, in our families, and in our world—-both male and female—-that they might be *completely* free and healed from self-blame, unwarranted guilt and shame.